Daniel Murphy Disabled for Remainder of Mets' Season?
Daniel Murphy, first baseman for the New York Mets, has been placed on the disabled list once again this week which may affect both his team and the position he plays on the field.
After a Sunday night game against the Atlanta Braves, rookie Jose Constanza slid into the first baseman who was placed on second base during the game.
"It was just an aggressive slide," Murphy said of the move.
After visiting the Hospital for Special Surgery, Murphy received an MRI that revealed a Grade 2 strain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, ESPN reported. As a result, the player was placed on a 15-day disabled list.
With speculation about Murphy missing the remainder of his season, the Mets called on second baseman Ruben Tejada to fill the hole left by Murphy. Terry Collins, first-year Mets manager, said the team will not let any injury hold them back.
"We aren't going to feel sorry for ourselves because we've got two big pieces of our puzzle out of the lineup,” Collins said in ESPN reports. “And yes, it's rhetoric sometimes, but I know they know I believe it. But they're going to hear it again."
At the thought of an early end to his season, Murphy seemed less than angry when speaking to ESPN candidly about his injury.
“Considering, it's probably the best news I could have gotten. I know how this story ends. My right knee felt great this year,” Murphy said. “I know that this injury isn't as severe. So I know I'll be back. It's just frustrating I have to take these two, maybe three months at the most, I feel like, to get healthy."
Aside from Murphy, Mets shortstop Jose Reyes was also placed on the disabled list recently. Reyes, the second large piece of the puzzle referenced by the team-manager, hopes to be return to the sport and help his team as soon as possible.
"I'm going to do my treatment and hopefully I'll be on the field as soon as possible," the shortstop said.
The Mets will face the San Diego Padres on Thursday without Murphy and Reyes.
