Winker (back) has yet to resume baseball activities, and he's running out of time to complete any sort of progression that would allow him to play again this season, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
The 32-year-old was originally shut down May 5 with an oblique strain, and his return in early July lasted just three plate appearances before his back became an issue. Given that it's been over three months since Winker saw regular game action in the majors, he would likely need a lengthy rehab stint before being ready to help the Mets' playoff push. As a result, he may have played his last game for the team, as he'll become a free agent this winter.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Moves to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Mets transferred Winker (back) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Back inflammation sent Winker to the injured list in mid-July, and his move to the 60-day IL will ensure he remains sidelined until at least Sept. 9. His 40-man roster spot will be given to Tyler Rogers, who came over from San Francisco via trade Wednesday.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Shut down for at least one week
Rotowire
Winker (back) recently had an epidural and will be shut down for 7-to-10 days, Laura Albanese of Newsday reported Friday.
Winker received an injection to address the pain in his back and will be shut down for at least one week. The 31-year-old has been on the shelf since July 11, and Friday's news likely means he won't be back until August.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Hits IL
Rotowire
The Mets placed Winker on the 10-day injured list Friday due to back inflammation.
Winker exited Thursday's game with back tightness and headed to New York to undergo further testing, which revealed inflammation severe enough to warrant an IL stint. Winker has been serving as the Mets' primary DH, a role that could be handed to Mark Vientos in the short term. Jared Young was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Heading back to New York for MRI
Rotowire
Winker is heading back to New York to undergo an MRI after exiting the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Orioles due to back tightness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Winker's back "locked up" on him after one plate appearance. More will be known regarding Winker's status after he's examined, but there's a good chance he's headed back to the injured list. Winker was just activated from the 60-day IL on Tuesday after missing a significant chunk of time with an oblique strain. If Winker does need another IL stint, Mark Vientos could receive another chance at regular playing time at designated hitter for the Mets.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Exits game with back tightness
Rotowire
Winker was removed from the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Orioles in the fourth inning due to back tightness.
Winker popped out in his lone plate appearance before being removed for pinch hitter Mark Vientos in the fourth. The 31-year-old had returned to action for the Mets on Tuesday following a lengthy stay on the injured list due to an oblique strain, but it's not clear whether the back issue might be related. The Mets could offer more information on Winker later Thursday.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Returns from injured list
Rotowire
The Mets activated Winker (oblique) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Winker was shelved for more than two months with a right oblique strain but is ready to roll after going 4-for-14 with a couple homers during a brief rehab assignment. The 31-year-old should be the Mets' primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, especially with Starling Marte (knee) landing on the 10-day injured list.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Could be activated Tuesday
Rotowire
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Winker (oblique) could return from the 60-day injured list when the Mets open their three-game series in Baltimore on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Winker has been on the shelf since May 4 due to a right oblique strain, but he looks ready to rejoin the big club after he went 4-for-12 with two home runs, one double and three walks across five rehab games with High-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. The 31-year-old didn't get any exposure to the corner outfield during his rehab assignment, and while DiComo relays that the Mets have no imminent plans to use him on defense upon his return, the left-handed-hitting Winker should see regular starts against right-handed pitching as the strong side of a platoon at designated hitter.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Closing in on return
Rotowire
Winker (oblique) has gone 2-for-6 with a home run and a 2:1 BB:K in two games since his rehab assignment was shifted to Double-A Binghamton.
The veteran outfielder played nine innings as the DH both Wednesday (in the first game of a doubleheader) and Thursday, and while the Mets will likely want to get him some defensive reps before activating him, Winker's bat appears to be just about ready to face big-league pitching. He's been sidelined since May 4, and Winker should slot into the strong side of a platoon at DH once he comes off the IL while seeing occasional action in an outfield corner.
Winker (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Sunday, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.
Winker was officially cleared for rehab games after taking batting practice at Citi Field on Thursday. The 31-year-old is eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list July 4 and has a good shot to return on that date. Winker has been shelved since early May with a Grade 2 oblique strain. Upon his return, Winker should see plenty of action at designated hitter versus right-handed pitching.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Nearing rehab assignment
Rotowire
Winker (oblique) is on track to begin a minor-league rehab assignment by this weekend, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The Mets shifted Winker from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL earlier Tuesday, but he's nearly ready to play in games and will initially serve as a designated hitter during his rehab assignment. He is eligible for activation July 4 and should be ready to go at that time, barring any setbacks. Once reinstated, Winker could settle back into a strong-side platoon role for the Mets.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Multiple weeks away from return
Rotowire
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Friday that Winker (oblique) is multiple weeks away from beginning a rehab assignment, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.
Winker suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain against the Cardinals on May 4 and has done very little in terms of baseball activities since. Prior to being injured, Winker slashed .239/.321/.418 with one home run, 10 RBI, eight runs scored, one stolen base and a 9:20 BB:K across 78 plate appearances.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Looking at lengthy absence
Rotowire
Winker has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain and is expected to miss the next 6-to-8 weeks, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.
This is unfortunate news for Winker, who was officially placed on the 10-day injured list Monday after suffering a side injury during the first game of Sunday's twin bill against the Cardinals. The injury will open up plenty of opportunities for Starling Marte and Brett Baty in the DH slot.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Officially lands on 10-day IL
Rotowire
The Mets placed Winker on the 10-day injured list Monday with a right oblique strain.
Winker suffered the injury Sunday during the first game of a doubleheader in St. Louis. The severity of the strain has now been revealed, but oblique injuries often results in longer than minimum stays on the IL. Starling Marte should soak up extra starts at designated hitter while Winker is out.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Likely headed to IL
Rotowire
Winker (side) is expected to be placed on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Winker suffered a right side injury in the Mets' Game 1 loss to St. Louis on Sunday, and he will require additional testing back in New York. The outfielder may be dealing with an oblique issue, which typically leads to a stint on the injured list. In his absence, Starling Marte stands to see more usage at designated hitter with the Mets.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Getting checked for oblique strain
Rotowire
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday after the Mets' 6-5 loss to the Cardinals in the first game of a doubleheader that Winker (side) will undergo an MRI, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.
Winker walked and delivered an RBI sacrifice fly in his two plate appearances in Game 1 before being pulled from the contest prior to the bottom of the fourth inning due to right side discomfort. Mendoza noted that Winker -- who suffered the injury while throwing to home plate in the bottom of the third inning -- will be sent in for tests as the Mets look to determine whether he suffered an oblique strain. Winker won't be available for the second game of the twin bill Sunday, and his availability for the Mets' three-game series in Arizona that begins Monday also seems to be in doubt.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Crosses plate four times Monday
Rotowire
Winker went 2-for-4 with two walks, four runs scored and an RBI in Monday's rout of the Nationals.
The Mets combined for 21 hits and 19 runs, and Winker was right in the middle of the offensive eruption as the cleanup hitter. The 31-year-old is beginning to climb out of his early-season hole at the plate, and over his last nine games he's batting .276 (8-for-29) with three doubles, a homer, three RBI and seven runs while working on the strong side of a platoon at DH with Starling Marte.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Sitting versus southpaw
Rotowire
Winker is not in the Mets' starting lineup against the Nationals on Sunday.
Winker will begin Sunday's game in the dugout while the Nationals send southpaw Mitchell Parker to the mound. Starling Marte will serve as the Mets' designated hitter and bat fifth. Winker has gone 4-for-14 with one walk, two runs scored and a solo homer over his last five games.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Idle vs. lefty
Rotowire
Winker is not in the Mets' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Saturday.
With St. Louis sending southpaw Matthew Liberatore to the mound, Winker will begin Saturday's contest on the bench while Starling Marte serves as the designated hitter and bats fifth. Winker has started the season slashing .184/.238/.368 with six RBI across 42 plate appearances.
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Mets' Jesse Winker: Not in Thursday's lineup
Rotowire
Winker is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Winker had started two of the last three games against righties, but he'll take a seat Thursday versus right-hander Andre Pallante, who has reverse splits. Starling Marte will be at designated hitter and bat sixth.
