Lagares (hamstring) started in center field and went 0-for-1 Friday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Lagares had to briefly deal with a hamstring strain, but was able to return for Friday's split-squad outing as planned. To avoid aggravating the injury, Lagares played just three innings before being replaced by Patrick Biondi. With Michael Conforto recovering from a shoulder injury, Lagares should open the season by spending plenty of time in the Mets' outfield.

Lagares (hamstring) will return to the field for Friday's split-squad contest, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lagares has been day-to-day with a left hamstring strain for the past week but should be back to full health heading into the weekend. The club may choose to ease him back into game shape over the next few days but expect to see the 27-year-old out in center field on a regular basis while Michael Conforto continues to recover from a shoulder injury.

The Mets announced Sunday that Lagares is dealing with a left hamstring strain, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lagares relayed Saturday that he was experiencing tightness in his leg, but the team's reclassification of the injury suggests that the outfielder may be hurting more than he was letting on. The day-to-day designation at least suggests the Mets aren't yet concerned that Lagares will need extensive time off to get over the issue, though his likely absence from the next handful of Grapefruit League games will give Brandon Nimmo more opportunities to stake a claim to the primary center-field role.

Lagares is battling a "tight" left leg but is expected to participate in an individual workout Saturday, Mike Puma of The New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lagares won't be a fixture in the Mets' lineup for their Grapefruit League game for a second consecutive game while he recovers from this ailment. It doesn't sound like there should be much concern for his status as it's likely that he will be out on the field for a spring game by the beginning of next week, barring any setback.

Lagares will be leading off frequently in spring training in order to get extra at bats to work on his newly revamped swing, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lagares worked with hitting guru Craig Wallenbrock (whose former success stories include J.D. Martinez and Chris Taylor) over the offseason in an attempt to increase his launch angle and hit for more power. With 20 career home runs through five seasons and a .366 career slugging percentage, Lagares seems an unlikely candidate to find sudden power, though hitters of all types have seen success after reinventing thier swings. Still, we tend to only hear about the swing-change successes, so don't assume that Lagares is guaranteed to be a new man in 2018. Treat this news more as something to keep an eye on just in case; if Lagares shows unexpected power this spring, it may not be a fluke.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway and team brass are leaning toward using Lagares as their primary center fielder while Michael Conforto (shoulder) is sidelined for at least the first month of the season, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Conforto's absence to begin the year creates a major hole atop the lineup, but replacing his glove and range in center field is a greater concern, especially with negative defenders in Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce set to flank him. For that reason, Lagares, a 2014 Gold Glove award winner who remains the club's top defensive outfielder, looks to have an early edge on an everyday gig over Brandon Nimmo, who brings more on-base upside to the table. The prospect of consistent at-bats to begin the season should give Lagares some relevance in NL-only formats as a compiler, but once Conforto returns to full health, expect Lagares to settle back into his more optimal role as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Lagares is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Lagares will be withheld from the starting lineup for the final game of the Mets' tumultuous season. Brandon Nimmo takes over in center field with Matt Reynolds filling in in left.

Lagares is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Lagares started both ends of Monday's doubleheader, so manager Terry Collins decided to give him a break Tuesday. With Lagares opening on the bench, Brandon Nimmo will cover center field Tuesday night.

Lagares (thumb) will start Friday's game in center field for the series opener against Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Lagares was held out of Wednesday's outing with a sore thumb, but used a scheduled off day to recover in time for the beginning of New York's final homestand. He is slotted into the eighth spot of the order, and is hitting just .103/.186/.154 at the dish over the last 12 games.

Lagares is out of Wednesday's lineup while he deals with a sore thumb, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lagares should be considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's series opener against Washington, but likely won't come in off the bench Wednesday in order to rest his thumb. If he's forced to miss extended time, expect Travis Taijeron to see more action in the outfield.