Mets slugger Cespedes hit in hand by pitch, fingers bruised

Well, at least for now.

Yoenis Cespedes winced, then dropped his bat, the pain surging through his left hand.

@NYRangers2716: “Yoenis Cespedes can take my hand if he needs it”. Although potentially precautionary, the Mets were forced to remove Cespedes from the game with the postseason just days away. The Mets’ lone other bona fide center fielders are righty-hitting Juan Lagares and lefty-hitting Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Since both benches had already been warned about close pitches. The benches briefly emptied while Rupp was yelling at Robles.

Since August 1, Cespedes ranks second in the majors in extra-base hits with 34 and has posted 35 home runs and 105 RBI this season.

Cespedes’ hand was one of several health issues the Mets faced Wednesday. He was replaced by Ruben Tejada.

The Mets have won the NL East and will be squaring off with -barring a LA collapse – the Dodgers in the NLDS round beginning late next week.