WASHINGTON — It’s gotta be the shoes.
J.D. Martinez was scratched from Tuesday’s starting lineup with left ankle soreness — after starting the previous 28 games for the Mets — and later surmised the spikes he wore the previous night were to blame.
“To be quite frank I haven’t gotten my new shipment of cleats in and had to try a new cleat [Monday],” the veteran DH said after the Mets beat the Nationals 7-2 in 10 innings. “I felt great and then I woke up today and my ankle was sore.”
Upon entering the batting cage during Tuesday’s pregame workouts Martinez said he felt a sharp pain in the ankle and decided he needed the day off.
Luis Torrens was inserted into the lineup in Martinez’s spot.
Martinez said he goes through a pair of cleats every three or four games.
When they are worn out he said he begins slipping in the batter’s box.
He said the cleats he tried Monday had an extra spike that wasn’t accounted for and that might have caused extra pressure on the ankle.
Martinez has since removed the extra spike, but would prefer if his new shipment arrives.
“I am patiently waiting for my cleats,” Martinez said.
Harrison Bader’s collision with the fence in right-center in the third inning left him with neck discomfort that caused him to leave the game for precautionary reasons.
Bader underwent testing and said he is clear to resume playing.
Bader said he expects to be in Wednesday’s starting lineup.
Jose Butto pitched two scoreless innings in relief after arriving from Triple-A Syracuse to bolster a depleted bullpen.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said he likely would have sent Butto back for the 10th inning if the right-hander hadn’t thrown 100 pitches in his previous outing on Friday.
Dedniel Nunez instead pitched the 10th inning, scoreless.
The Mets optioned lefty reliever Tyler Jay to Syracuse to create space for Butto.
Butto will be utilized mainly as a multi-inning reliever, allowing him to remain somewhat stretched out in case he’s needed for the rotation.
The Mets need the bullpen help due to injuries and the 10-game suspension Edwin Diaz is serving following his ejection for a sticky substance. Diaz is scheduled to return on Saturday.
Sean Reid-Foley has not resumed throwing and may remain on the injured list through the All-Star break, according to Mendoza.
The right-hander is still dealing with discomfort from a shoulder impingement.
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