Michael Conforto crushed a shot to center field in Monday’s fifth inning, but all he had to show for it was another hitless at-bat.
His drought, though, ended at 0-for-13, when he smacked an RBI single in the seventh that gave the Mets their final run in a 4-2 victory over the Brewers at Citi Field.
Conforto entered Monday in a 4-for-34 (.118) slide since his activation from the injured list. He was dropped to sixth in the lineup against the Brewers.
Conforto’s biggest issue is timing, manager Luis Rojas said.
“I have seen him attack late at times, just getting ready to separate, to see the ball,” Rojas said before the game.“ That’s what caused him to foul pitches, either over the third base dugout or down the left field line we have seen repeatedly, so he’s just a tap late and that also puts him in trouble to recognize some secondary pitches.
“You have seen him chase some change-ups down, some sliders down, just a tap late making him rush. It’s something he can correct, just getting the at-bats.”
Conforto owns a .207/.341/.293 slash line overall with two homers and 16 RBIs.
J.D. Davis remains on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse, and the Mets are hopeful he can join the active roster by this weekend. Davis, who has missed two months with a left hand injury, is the last significant piece of the lineup on the injured list. In recent weeks, Conforto, Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo have all returned from the IL.
Robert Stock is among the candidates to start Wednesday’s game against the Brewers. The 31-year-old Stock was claimed off waivers from the Cubs last month and has started twice for Syracuse.
“He is the one guy on the roster who is stretched out and ready for that day,” Rojas said.
Carlos Carrasco practiced fielding his position before the game and will likely throw a live batting-practice session this week. The right-hander is progressing toward a minor league rehab assignment that could place him back in the Mets’ rotation by late July or early August.
Jerad Eickhoff cleared waivers and returned to the Mets on a minor league contract. Eickhoff was designated for assignment last week after allowing four homers in a start in Washington. The right-hander has pitched to a 4.50 ERA in two appearances for the Mets this season.