Mets infielder Justin Turner was out of the starting lineup again Thursday as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury, but he ended the game in the on-deck circle as a potential pinch-hitter.
However, manager Terry Collins revealed after the game that Turner was being used as a decoy to get the Giants to bring in a right-handed pitcher if the game had extended another batter, ESPN New York reports. Turner would have then been removed for another pinch-hitter.
Turner did full baseball activities before Thursday's game, running at 75 to 80 percent by his own estimation, and could return to the lineup during the team's weekend series against the Phillies.