The New York Mets are holding their breath after outfielder Carson Benge left Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with an injury. The prized rookie was removed in the fourth inning after crashing into the wall on a running back-handed grab.
Benge, who had gone 2-for-2 with two RBI and a stolen base, was replaced in left field by Cristian Pache.
The Mets (51-66) went on to win 6-4 for their fourth straight victory.
X-Rays Negative on Benge
The Mets announced later in the game that Benge exited with left wrist soreness. The 23-year-old was seen shaking his wrist after making an outstanding catch on a fly ball hit by Ronny Simon to begin the third inning.
Interim manager Andy Green said postgame that X-rays came back negative.
“We’ll see how he wakes up in the morning and determine if he needs potentially more tests,” Green said, via SNY. “It’s a little stiff right now for him. He made an unbelievable catch, and just kind of jammed it into the wall.”
The play earned praise from Benge’s teammates, including second baseman Marcus Semien, who said, “He sacrificed his body, and that’s all you can ask for in your outfielders.”
Rookie OF Has Been Bright Spot for Mets
Benge has been one of baseball’s top rookies after making the team out of spring training. The 2019 first-round pick is slashing .270/.330/.412 with 13 homers, 46 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
He is off to a hot start in August, hitting .333 with two homers and a 1.027 OPS.
Among NL rookies, Benge ranks second in hits, third in runs, and fourth in home runs.
GettyRookie outfielder Carson Benge has been a bright spot for the struggling Mets.
Any extended absence would undoubtedly be a blow to the Mets, who view Benge as a building block for the future alongside fellow rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing and Juan Soto.
Benge entered the weekend series against the Pirates with an .809 OPS over his last 40 games. Per SNY, he’s one of just six NL outfielders with a batting average of at least .290 over that stretch.
Mets Give Injury Update on Rookie Outfielder Carson Benge