PORT ST. LUCIE — Nick Madrigal won’t be an option for the Mets anytime soon.
The infielder, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, has been diagnosed with a fracture to his left shoulder, after leaving Sunday’s exhibition game in West Palm Beach, Fla., with a dislocation.
Madrigal was scheduled to receive a CT scan on Monday to determine his next step.
“It’s going to keep him out for a long time,” Mendoza said. “It’s unfortunate for him that this happened on Day 1 without even getting an at-bat.”
Madrigal, playing at shortstop on Sunday, charged a grounder and fell as he threw off balance.
Madrigal was a strong contender for a backup infielder’s job to begin the season.
The Mets planned to give him plenty of looks at shortstop this spring as a potential backup to Francisco Lindor. Madrigal is primarily a third baseman.
With Madrigal removed from the mix, the Mets will continue to evaluate Luisangel Acuna and Brett Baty as potential backups to begin the season.
Donovan Walton and Jared Young are other possibilities.
Mendoza said he wants another infielder who can at least finish a game at shortstop behind Lindor if needed.
Baty lacks shortstop experience and may take grounders on the side at the position this spring, but at this point isn’t an option to play there during the Grapefruit League, according to Mendoza.
