Mets' Javier Baez leaves game due to left hip tightness

The Mets have now dropped seven of their last eight games following Sunday’s 3-0 shutout loss to the Phillies, and the bad news continued beyond the box score for New York.  Javier Baez left the game due to left hip tightness, as the shortstop had to be removed following a painful at-bat in the top of the fifth inning. After hitting a grounder, Baez remained in the batter’s box in obvious discomfort and immediately left the field.

Baez is currently considered day-to-day with the injury, and manager Luis Rojas provided some hope in telling reporters (including The Athletic’s Tim Britton) that “we’re more optimistic now” postgame than at the time Baez left the game. Rojas initially feared an oblique injury, similar to the one that has sidelined Francisco Lindor and might have given the Mets the impetus to acquire Baez at the trade deadline in the first place.

While Baez has gotten off to a slow start with his new team, the last thing the reeling Mets need is to lose another player to the injured list. Jonathan Villar is the likeliest candidate to take over at shortstop should Baez need a day or two to get better, but if an IL stint is indeed required, the Mets are suddenly quite thin at shortstop since Lindor, Luis Guillorme and Jose Peraza are all still recovering from injuries.