The Mets averted disaster Monday after Amed Rosario was hit by a pitch on his left hand by Boston’s Mike Shawaryn and was removed from the game.
X-rays, though, came back negative on the shortstop, who has had an excellent spring.
“He should be fine,” Mickey Callaway said after the Mets lost 9-3 at First Data Field, adding he’d wait to see how Rosario felt when he arrived Tuesday before determining a timeline for return. “It is always scary when one of your guys gets hit. You don’t want anyone to get injured.’’
Fortunately for the Mets and Rosario, the injury isn’t serious.
“I’m happy that it wasn’t something bad,’’ Rosario said. “I’m excited … To be honest, I don’t have a lot of pain. It is just a little tight right now.”
Rosario had another single before being drilled and continued to impress Callaway.
“[Rosario’s] two-strike approach was unbelievable,’’ Callaway said. “His at-bats are so much better than what we would have seen at the beginning last year.”
Travis d’Arnaud was the DH for a second straight game and went 2-for-3 with a double in a 7-4 win over the Astros at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches as he gets closer to returning behind the plate after Tommy John surgery last April.
D’Arnaud said he feels good physically and anticipates being ready to catch in a game soon.
“We have a couple of new guys [in the bullpen],’’ d’Arnaud said. “I’ve caught their bullpens, but I haven’t caught them in a game. Working with all of them in a game is really important, even with guys I’ve caught before. I have to refresh my memory of what’s going on in their head when they’re out there.’’
Steven Matz became the latest Mets starter to have trouble with his control in his second spring outing. The lefty gave up four runs in 2 ²/₃ innings to Boston, with the big blow a three-run homer by Gorkys Hernandez in the second.
Matz said most of his problems stemmed from poor command of his curve — though Hernandez hit a fastball. He continued to throw his curve because, “that is going to be a key pitch for me” and needs to work on it at this time of year. “It is something I know I have to address.”
“He is growing up,’’ Callaway said. “He probably wouldn’t have done that last year. He would have been worried about the result. He is worried about getting better.”
Brandon Nimmo played in his first game back since being sidelined by a stomach virus.
“I finally got my energy back [Sunday] and my appetite, too,’’ said Nimmo, who went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Boston. “I’m just glad to be feeling better, move forward and playing games.”
Nimmo lost six pounds due to the virus, which was first thought to be food poisoning caused by undercooked chicken Nimmo prepared. He said he was sent two digital meat thermometers, one from a chef, and added a few personal chefs have reached out.
Regardless of the illness’ origin, Nimmo is confident he has enough time to get his form back this spring.
“I don’t feel really behind,’’ Nimmo said. “If this was years past, I would probably be feeling stressed that I need to make an impression. Having last year under my belt helps with the situation. … Today was like starting over.”
Corey Oswalt allowed a leadoff homer to Houston’s George Springer, but didn’t allow another run in his 2 ¹/₃ -inning start in the win over the Astros. He also came back to strike out Springer in the third.
Lefty Justin Wilson gave up four hits and two more runs in one inning against the Red Sox. He’s been roughed up in all three of his appearances this spring
Michael Conforto was robbed of an extra-base hit in the fifth inning by Boston center fielder Tate Matheny, who raced back to the fence and made a superb catch on Conforto’s deep fly ball.
Jason Vargas, the team’s fifth starter as long as they don’t make a move for another pitcher, gets the start against Miami at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.