DENVER -- New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda's back locked up during Friday's 14-9 win against the Colorado Rockies and he departed in the seventh inning. Team officials will make a DL decision Saturday, which potentially could spare rookie outfielder Michael Conforto a demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas.
The Mets plan to active left-handed reliever Dario Alvarez before Saturday's game regardless. So it appears Duda to the DL would save Conforto's roster spot.
Duda had missed six starts with a strain in his lower back before returning to the lineup Tuesday in Baltimore.
“It just kind of jammed up again,” Duda said. “We'll take a look at it tomorrow and see how it goes.”
The Mets had intended for Alvarez to be a September call-up anyway to bolster the left-handed relief corps, which currently includes Eric O'Flaherty and Sean Gilmartin.
Alvarez, 26, made four appearances for the Mets in 2014. He had a 1.08 ERA in 10 relief appearances this season with Las Vegas after a late-July promotion from Double-A Binghamton. Lefties were 2-for-14 against him with Vegas. Batters from that side of the plate hit a combined .118 (8-for-68) against him between the two levels.