The nature of Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes' ankle injury last May is no longer a mystery, according to the New York Post. If the newspaper's reporting is correct, then Cespedes really . . . stepped in it.
The Post reported Friday evening that Cespedes wrecked his right ankle while trying to avoid a charging wild boar that had been removed from a trap on Cespedes' ranch in South Florida. Cespedes suffered multiple fractures to the ankle, which helped to keep him out for the entire 2019 season, when he stepped into a hole on ranch grounds. The Post's report Friday added the missing details of Cespedes' misstep.
Cespedes was recovering from surgeries on both heels at the time of the encounter.
PHOTOS: All-time dumbest sports injuries
Cespedes was docked about $6 million of his 2019 salary and his 2020 base salary fell from $29.5 million to $6 million over the incident after negotiations between the Mets, Cespedes' representatives and the Players Association, per the Post's report. The Post added that Cespedes can make as much as $20 million in 2020 if he makes the Opening Day roster and reaches incentives. He is in the final year of a four-year, $110 million contract.
Video posted in November of Cespedes taking batting practice (from Sportsnet New York through Newsday's Tim Healey) showed that the 34-year-old outfielder had at least resumed baseball activities, although Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen continues to say that he doesn't know whether Cespedes can contribute to the team this year.
A healthy-enough Cespedes would be a boon to the Mets' outfield. His powerful right-handed bat would play well with left-handed swingers Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo. New York acquired Jake Marisnick in an offseason trade with the Astros but it reportedly isn't done trying to add to the unit. It reportedly has been talking with the Pirates about acquiring Starling Marte, who would become New York's everyday center fielder.
