Nimmo feeling ‘a lot better,’ aims for Opening Day

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Two days after spraining his proper knee and ankle, Mets heart fielder Brandon Nimmo was relieved that his accidents weren’t critical. In reality, he’s nonetheless hoping that he will probably be within the Opening Day lineup on March 30 in opposition to the Marlins.

“I was relieved that it wasn’t more serious,” Nimmo stated earlier than Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Cardinals at Clover Park. “We [are not looking at] structural damage; just kind of sprains in there. To me, that was the best news we could have [received]. Just how awkward the play was, catching that cleat, a lot of things could have gone wrong. I’m fortunate we dodged a bullet.”

In the fourth inning on Friday, with the bases loaded in opposition to the Marlins, no one out and the Mets already main by what ended up being the ultimate rating, 6-1, Danny Mendick hit what appeared like a double-play ball. Nimmo slid into second base along with his spike getting caught within the grime, hurting his proper leg. However, Marlins catcher Jacob Stallings was known as for catcher’s interference.

Nimmo was on the bottom for a couple of minutes in what gave the impression to be critical ache, however he walked off the sector quickly after with a limp. Nimmo acknowledged that his ankle was throbbing in ache, however because the night time went on, his knee gave him issues.

“Right now, we are taking it day by day. I feel a lot better today than I did yesterday,” Nimmo stated. “Once we get all that inflammation out of there, I [will] feel a whole lot better with it. I’m not ruling anything out right now. In my heart of hearts, I do think [I will make Opening Day]. Obviously, we have to see how it goes.”

Nimmo, 29, is among the finest leadoff hitters in baseball. He completed 2022 with 102 runs scored and a .367 on-base proportion in a career-high 151 video games. He plans to play in that many in 2023.

“[I am] going to be in a position where I’m going to try and be available for every game possible this season. We are definitely going to take care of that,” Nimmo stated. “… I feel the body is going to be there.”