WASHINGTON — J.D. Martinez’s new cleats arrived Wednesday, and he felt a degree of relief.
The veteran defensive back missed Tuesday’s game due to soreness in his left ankle, but believes this was due to him putting on a different pair of cleats the night before because he hadn’t received his new order.
The cleats he used Monday had an extra spike in the middle, which he said put extra pressure on his ankles.
Martinez said he replaces a pair of cleats every three or four games.
He’s hopeful the three pairs of shoes he just received will carry him through the All-Star break.
Martinez had started 28 consecutive games before missing Tuesday’s game.
He returned to the lineup on Wednesday, going 1-for-4 with 1 double in the Mets’ 7-5 loss to the Nationals.
Harrison Bader was removed from the starting lineup the day after crashing into the outfield fence.
Bader left Tuesday’s game with neck soreness and was tested for a concussion, which came back negative, according to coach Carlos Mendoza.
Tyrone Taylor started in center field in place of Bader.
Francisco Alvarez was rested, and Luis Torrens filled in as catcher for rookie Christian Scott.
Mendoza said he informed the couple about the plans on Tuesday so they could spend time together and start making plans.
Scott’s previous major league experience came in May, when he pitched against Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido while Alvarez was on the disabled list.
The final episode of the series on Thursday is scheduled to begin at 11:05 a.m., in honor of the Fourth of July and the popularity of fireworks in the nation’s capital.
That leaves the Mets and Nationals facing a quick recovery following Wednesday’s 6:45 p.m. first pitch at Nationals Park.
DJ Stewart’s playing time has been minimal, especially since the addition of left-handed hitter Ben Gamel to the outfield, but Mendoza still believes the left-hander has a place in the mix.
As of Wednesday, Stewart had played just one game in nine days.
“One thing I can say is he’s a real professional,” Mendoza said. “He goes into the game with the mindset that he’s in the lineup and prepares the right way.”
