Right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning was forced to leave the Mets’ game against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning on Thursday night, due to a left ankle injury, suffered on a non-contact play.
Canning will undergo imaging tests and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that the team fears an Achilles tendon injury.
Before the injury, Canning managed to strike out three batters and only allowed one runner to reach base. The injury occurred when the pitcher was heading towards the left side of the infield, after a ground ball by Nick Allen with one out.
Immediately, Canning began to limp on his right leg and only took a couple of steps before falling to the field, with his left leg raised. Mets catcher Luis Torrens requested medical assistance before Allen was put out at first by Francisco Lindor.
Canning covered his face with his hands while being attended to by the trainers. The Mets infielders and manager Carlos Mendoza gathered around the pitcher, while Ronald Acuña Jr., the on-deck batter for the Braves, watched from a few steps back.
After a few minutes, Canning left the field limping, with his arms supported by the trainers. Austin Warren came in to relieve Canning and retired Acuña with a fly out, leaving White on second.Canning’s injury, who has a 7-3 record with an ERA of 3.77 in 16 starts this season, is a new blow to the Mets’ pitching staff, which is already depleted.
Ace Kodai Senga is on the injured list after suffering a right hamstring strain while attempting to field a Pete Alonso throw on June 12. Left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea, who appeared to be close to returning from an oblique injury suffered in spring training, was diagnosed with a bone fracture in his elbow after his most recent rehab appearance for the Triple-A Syracuse last Friday.
Mendoza and the president of baseball operations, David Stearns, hope that Manaea, who received a cortisone injection, can resume his rehabilitation next week.
