NEW YORK — Wilmer Flores was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the New York Mets and inserted into the starting lineup at third base Sunday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The utility infielder filled in at third for captain David Wright, who missed his second consecutive game with a neck problem.
Flores had been sidelined since May 12 with a mild strain of his left hamstring. He went 4 for 17 (.235) in five rehab games with Double-A Binghamton.
Flores began the night hitting .180 with one home run, two doubles and two RBIs in 50 at-bats this season. He was set to bat sixth against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
To open a roster spot, the Mets optioned infielder Matt Reynolds to Triple-A Las Vegas. Reynolds went 1 for 10 with a walk for New York.
Wright, who has homered in his last three games, was scheduled to be examined by doctors again and was not available to play. He was given anti-inflammatory medicine and will be re-examined in 48 hours, manager Terry Collins said.
Collins said the neck injury is not related to Wright’s spinal stenosis but might be connected to the left shoulder injury that hampered him in 2014.
“They kind of go hand in hand,” Collins said.
With first baseman Lucas Duda sidelined by a stress fracture in his lower back, Flores is expected to get playing time at first base in the coming weeks, especially against left-handed pitching. But he’ll play third, a more familiar spot for him, for the next couple of days while Wright is out, Collins said.
Flores has made two starts at first base this season, his first major league action at the position. But he’s been working there since spring training and said he feels comfortable. He said the games he played at first during his minor league rehab assignment helped a lot.
“I think he’ll be fine there,” Collins said.
