Many baseball players like to get in a round of golf whenever they can during the regular season. New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is one of those players, who just so happened to get in a round with Kevin Millar on a day in which he was unavailable to play for the Mets due to a quad injury. It just so happened to be on the same day the Mets placed Cespedes on the disabled list.
He got me this am @ynscspds #BoyClub #Millar/Cespedes #Rematch ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️ pic.twitter.com/bI5epD1Job
— Kevin Millar (@KMillar15) August 3, 2016
As you might imagine, the thought of Cespedes on the disabled list on the same day he had been playing golf has not been sitting very well with some Mets fans, and that has led to questions from the media directed at Mets manager Terry Collins. Collins, however, seems to have no problem with it or is just tired of addressing the issue. Collins is not blaming golf for the injury to Cespedes, and came to the defense of his outfielder when asked about the golfing activities.
“Don’t go there,” Collins said when asked about it. “This has nothing to do with it. This is a baseball player.”
Cespedes shook off criticisms about his recent golf rounds while sitting out games earlier in the week due to injury by appearing as the designated hitter on Wednesday. After the game, Cespedes was placed on the DL, firing up another round of questions about Cespedes and golf. Fortunately, the Mets have confirmed Cespedes will not be found on a golf course during his time on the disabled list, per The Sporting News. Then again, what’s to stop him form playing some Wii Golf in the meantime?
Of course, there is a history here, as noted by Adam Rubin of ESPN.com. Rubin reminded readers of last year’s National League Championship Series when Cespedes took the morning of Game Four to get in some golf in Chicago. Later that night, Cespedes left the game with a shoulder injury. Coincidence, or is there something linking the two?
There may be nothing wrong with getting in some golf if it is not affecting your baseball abilities, even if injured. However, it will never look good to the fans if you are playing 18 holes on a day in which you are supposed to be resting or rehabbing. Especially in New York.
[Yahoo!]