WASHINGTON -- Monday's win against the Washington Nationals came with a price. New York Mets reliever Carlos Torres suffered a strained left calf and departed the game in the fifth inning.
Although it initially appeared that Torres suffered the injury scooping up Michael Taylor's grounder near the first-base line, Torres said the injury actually occurred when his landing leg planted awkwardly after delivering the pitch.
Torres was in a walking boot postgame and is likely to be lost at least for the short term.
"He lives and dies with his legs, No. 1, because that's what he uses to pitch," manager Terry Collins said. "He's a drop-and-drive guy. He's going to miss some time. So we're probably going to have to find somebody else."
Said Torres: "Interestingly enough, it was actually when my foot landed. I don't know if I landed in the hole or not, because I just kind of gave a little bit. And then I had to go run and get the ball because it was right in front of me. I ran to go get it and I couldn't hide it on the way back because I couldn't walk. I put the team in a little bit of a predicament, but [Erik] Goeddel came in and did a great job. So did everybody else that came in to fill the gap."
Even before being placed in the walking boot, Torres was dragging his leg as he walked around the clubhouse. Torres suggested the injury was not as dire as it appeared, though.
"They just don't want me pushing off of my toes," Torres said. "And it's really, really weird trying not to push off on your toes as you're walking."
On the severity, Torres added: "I've never experienced it before. I don't really think it's that big of a deal. The doc was pushing on it and I was pushing back. It's just a little strain right now. I'll just do whatever they tell me to do to get back."
Goeddel, Dario Alvarez and Hansel Robles followed Torres by retiring all 10 batters they faced in the eventual 8-5 series-opening win.
"All of them pitched very well. Our bullpen saved us," Collins said. "Jon [Niese] had a bad inning. And when Carlos went down, I wasn't sure where to turn. They did a great job."