Jankowski will be out for a while after suffering a left 4th metacarpal fracture in Wednesday’s loss to the Giants.
The Mets expect him to miss six-to-eight weeks after hurting his left hand while making a diving catch. A screw was inserted into the hand.
Signed to a minor league deal by the Mets in the offseason, Jankowski has been an important piece for this year for manager Buck Showalter.
“He’ll be back. He’ll be back,” Showalter said before the Mets’ 8-6 win over the Phillies on Friday night at Citi Field. “It’s the loss of a very useful player for us. Travis did a lot of things for us.”
In 33 games, Jankowski appeared mostly as a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch runner. A veteran of eight MLB seasons, the Mets will miss his speed and glove.
With Jankowski on the sideline, look for the Mets to stay with outfielders Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, and Mark Cahna getting most of the playing time. Jeff McNeil and, possibly, Dominic Smith could see additional time in left field.
In corresponding moves, the team optioned left-hander Thomas Szapucki and recalled right-handers Stephen Nogosek and Yoan Lopez to take the open spots on the active roster.
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