Micheal Conforto Returns from DL with Home Run Against Nationals
On Thursday, Michael Conforto was activated by the New York Mets from the team’s 10-day disabled list. The Mets outfielder promptly hit a home run in his first game back. His return saw the Mets defeat the Washington Nationals 8-2.
Conforto played center field and batted leadoff in the Mets game in Washington on Thursday against Stephen Strasburg. Mickey Callaway, the new manager of the Mets said that his young outfielder had asked that he be activated in time to face the Nationals’ right-hander.
Callaway said Conforto “wanted Strasburg,†when asked the reason Michael Conforto was activated without first going for a rehab stint in the minors prior to returning to the Mets.
In his first at bat, Conforto was struck out by Strasburg. He followed that by grounding into a double play the second time he faced Strasburg. However, during the fifth inning he faced Strasburg a third time and hit a two-run homer.
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Conforto said after the victory by the Mets that as a player you want to face the best and they do not get much better than Strasburg.
Jay Bruce, an outfielder for the Mets, joked about his teammate, by saying that Conforto’s first two at-bats on Thursday were his rehab assignment and he was ready when he came to the plate the third time in the fifth.
Bruce helped the Mets cause as well on Thursday by slugging a grand slam.
Conforto now has 3 hits in 17 official at-bats against Strasburg for his career. He has eight strikeouts, but two of the three hits are homers.
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In 2017, Conforto, who is 25, had is breakout season. Prior to a torn capsule in his shoulder that he suffered during the latter part of August. Conforto hit .279 with 27 homers and 68 runs batted in only 109 games before he was injured.
Mets manager Callaway said after the game that Conforto does not have any restrictions related to his time on the DL.
The Mets optioned Phillip Evans, an infielder, to Las Vegas their Triple-A affiliate to open a spot on the roster for Conforto.
The Mets have won five of six to start the season. They lead the National League East by one game over the Atlanta Braves after the first week of action.
