Mets Tommy Pham Pinch Hits Vs. Red Sox in exchange for groin injury

BOSTON — Tommy Pham was set to return to the Mets’ starting lineup on Sunday but was dismissed from the manager’s office.

After testing his right groin during a rigorous pregame workout, Pham said he was in position to start against the Red Sox.

But with the Mets scheduled to have a day off on Monday, manager Buck Showalter told him to take extra rest and wait until Tuesday, when the Mets would go to Yankee Stadium for the Subway Series.

In the ninth inning of the Mets’ 6-1 loss to the Red Sox on Sunday, Pham came in as a pinch hitter for Omar Narvaez and grounded out to short.

Pham missed Thursday’s game with a groin injury.

Pham said, “We did a lot of running drills today – almost similar to football combine training.” “Cutting, acceleration, running the bases, copying a lot of defensive stuff. I felt good.”

Pham suffered a groin strain two weeks prior and spent four days resting during the All-Star break before returning to the lineup for the start of the second half.

“If we don’t stop [Monday] It would have been different,” Pham said.

Pham has been the Mets’ hottest hitter since May 28 with a .962 OPS.

Starling Marte is eligible for a return from the injured list on Thursday, and Showalter is encouraged by the reports he has received on the veteran outfielder.

Marte’s placement on the IL was necessitated by migraine headaches.

“He’s had three good days,” Showalter said, noting that Marte’s headache was absent during that period.

Showalter indicated that Marte’s IL tenure went beyond the migraines that were plaguing him.

Last season, Marte had core surgery involving both groins.

Showalter said, “He’s had a lot of challenges physically this year that he hasn’t talked about or used it as an excuse not to try to play.” “The idea here was to get the best stuff you could. Starling is a guy who wants to play and be out there. He had pretty extensive surgery in the offseason, so I’m hoping this offseason lets him know what he’s capable of.

Luis Guillerme is expected to receive further evaluation (including imaging) on ​​his right calf on Monday.

The infielder was placed on IL on Saturday after leaving the game due to discomfort.

He has been walking with the help of crutches for the last two days.