Mets put Duda on the DL with back injury

Just moments after announcing the acquisition of Eric Young Jr. for his second go-around with the organization, the New York Mets have placed first-baseman and heavy hitter Lucas Duda on the disabled list.

With Duda on the DL, the Mets will use Michael Cuddyer at first base against Rockies’ left-hander Chris Rusin.

According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Lucas Duda was forced to exit last night’s game in the seventh inning with renewed lower back pain. 247 with 21 home runs and 56 RBIs in 113 games this season.

To take Duda’s spot on the roster, the Mets have recalled lefty reliever Dario Alvarez, whom Rubin reports the Mets were planning on promoting anyway. Mets manager Terry Collins said after the game that they’ll make a decision on his status on Saturday.

“I think it’s continuation of the same, it looks like he was still obviously never fully healed, since it reoccurred that quickly”, Ricco said. Cuddyer has been limited to starting only against lefties since he returned from the disabled list, but Collins said the veteran will receive playing time against righties now.

Duda’s absence hurts the Mets since he bats in the middle of the lineup and hits for power, and he had been playing better since he battled through an extended slump in June and July. “He was pretty valuable two years ago when he led the league in stolen bases”.

“He is a big piece in our lineup”, Collins said.

“We’ve got a lot of pieces”, Collins said.