Lagares only got one hit in five trips Tuesday against Miami, but it was a game-tying, bases-clearing double in the seventh inning. His 10-game hitting streak ended on Friday, but Lagares has popped right back up with a new streak, having racked up nine hits in just 17 at-bats over his last four games. It's looking like he's a strong bet to hit for a decent average this year -- at least matching last season's .280, if not better -- but to gain real fantasy value, Lagares will need to either find some pop (zero homers so far) or steal more bases (just one so far).

Lagares went 4-for-4 Saturday with a triple, three runs scored and an RBI. One day after his 10-game hitting streak was snapped, Lagares heated right back up. He's now batting .296 on the season, albeit with no home runs and just one steal.

Lagares picked up a seventh-inning single Thursday against Atlanta to extend his hitting streak to a league-leading 10 games. The defensively studly center fielder started the year cold, but has been picking up steam nicely, justifying his role near the top of the Mets' lineup by raising his average from .160 after an 0-for-5 on April 12 to .270 as things stand after Thursday'a action.

Lagares has moved up to the two-hole Tuesday against the Braves, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports. David Wright originally was hitting second but was replaced by Travis d'Arnaud when he landed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. D'Aranud is now out with a fractured pinkie and manager Terry Collins has moved up Lagares and not Daniel Murphy. That move keeps the lefty-righty balance in the top-five of the lineup with Curtis Granderson-Lagares-Lucas Duda-Michael Cuddyer-Murphy.

Lagares went 2-for-4 with a run scored and batted in Wednesday, his fourth straight game with a hit. Lagares has looked much better at the plate lately, but is still hitting seventh. Manager Terry Collins has said Lagares will remain there until he shows better plate discipline. That has been the case lately, but Curtis Granderson has a .405 OBA, which should keep him at the top of the order for now.

Lagares is hitting seventh Opening Day against Max Scherzer and the Nationals, Kristie Ackert of the NY Daily News reports. With a righty on the hill, manager Terry Collins is having Curtis Granderson lead off. There is no word if this a permanent or one-time switch, but if this change sticks, it would mean fewer at-bats and possibly counting stats for Lagares.

Lagares signed a 4-year contract extension with the Mets on Wednesday that includes a fifth-year club option, Jim Bowden of ESPN reports. Lagares' deal will cover his four years of arbitration, while the team option will come during his first year of free agency. He's in line to serve as the Mets' starting center fielder in 2015, and won't have to go through arbitration hearings in the offseason.

Lagares will bat ninth Friday as the Mets experiment with a second lead off hitter, the NY Post reports. Manager Terry Collins is batting Matt Harvey eighth, moving the red-hot Lagares to ninth with Curtis Granderson leading off. If this approach is used during the year, it could cost Lagares some at-bats and possibly some counting stats.

Lagares has reached base 11 of 23 plate appearances this spring. Lagares is trying to show he should be the Mets' leadoff hitter. His strong early spring is going a long way to doing so, meaning that Curtis Granderson would hit second, or more likely, sixth.

Lagares' elbow injury could be a long-term issue and will be monitored by the Mets this year, Mike Vorkunov of The Star-Ledger reports. Lagares is still good to go as far as playing time goes, but this definitely makes him a riskier asset for owners and the Mets. If anything, this will hurt him in the field and won't significantly impact his more important fantasy values (batting average, stolen bases), so this isn't a big concern. This would only hurt him if it flares up and forces him out of regular play.