WASHINGTON — Lucas Duda vowed Monday his failed contract negotiations with the Mets will have no bearing on his play.
“All of my focus is going to be on games, so that’s how I would like to keep it,” Duda said before the Mets beat the Nationals 3-1.
“There’s really no disappointment. I’m actually very fortunate to be put in that position.”
Duda’s representatives in recent weeks had discussed a contract extension with general manager Sandy Alderson that would have bought out the first baseman’s arbitration years and at least one season of free agency. But Monday was the deadline the sides set to complete a deal.
“This just didn’t work out,” Alderson said. “We’re still very happy with Lucas, and I think he’s happy to be a Met, and he will be for a long time. We’ll revisit this way down the road sometime.”
Last week, the Mets struck a deal with Juan Lagares worth $23 million over four years with a club option for 2020 worth $9.5 million.
Daniel Murphy committed a throwing error in the first inning and finished 0-for-4, but doesn’t anticipate holding back, after returning from a pulled right hamstring.
“Hopefully, it’s just go out and bust it — play the way I’m capable, and the way I always play, which is hard,” Murphy said. “I think maybe in my experience I can maybe pick and choose my spots a little better, so hopefully I can use that as well, too.”
Murphy may receive an off day this weekend in Atlanta, according to manager Terry Collins, so he isn’t overextended early.
Neither Vic Black nor Bobby Parnell is close to rejoining the team, according to Alderson.
Black is eligible to come off the disabled list this weekend in Atlanta, but will probably need more time and the Mets still expect Parnell to need two to three weeks as he finishes his rehab from Tommy John surgery.
The Mets rescinded Cesar Puello’s outright assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas and placed the outfielder on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 3, with a stress fracture in his back. The reversal leaves Puello on the 40-man roster. To clear roster space, the Mets placed Josh Edgin on the 60-day DL.