Lightning jolt
Yoenis Cespedes declined an invitation to join the upcoming Home Run Derby competition, but Thursday night hit a blast that resembled something you would see in the event.
The Mets outfielder launched a titanic 466-foot home run into the left-field upper deck at Citi Field — he later said it’s the hardest ball he’s ever hit during a game in this ballpark — to get his team started in a 4-3 victory over the Cubs.
Cespedes’ blast against John Lackey in the sixth inning sliced the Cubs’ lead to 3-1 before the Mets scored three in the seventh to take the lead.
“We’re obviously going through a bit of a slump as a team right now,” Cespedes said. “But that doesn’t mean that we’re not always going to go out there and give the best that we can. Things haven’t been working out for us, but we’re always going to go out there and give it everything we’ve got.”
Cespedes said he declined the invitation to the Home Run Derby in San Diego, which will be held the day before the All-Star Game, because of concerns about his left wrist. Last week, Cespedes received a cortisone shot in the wrist because of recent discomfort.
As Curtis Granderson rests his sore right calf, Juan Lagares’ stint on the disabled list could be over.
In need of bench depth with Granderson unavailable for one-to-two days, general manager Sandy Alderson indicated Lagares could be activated as soon as Friday.
Lagares, who has been rehabbing a sprained left thumb, went 1-for-4 Thursday for Double-A Binghamton.
“We can get some help out there, but we’re going to have to watch it closely,” Alderson said before the Mets faced the Cubs at Citi Field.
Granderson was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup after leaving the previous night’s game with discomfort in the calf. Granderson later made a pinch-hitting appearance, but manager Terry Collins said the outfielder was completely unavailable Thursday against the Cubs.
Jose Reyes likely will join the Mets in three-to-six days, according to Alderson.
The veteran shortstop is continuing to receive atbats for Double-A Binghamton and taking reps at third base. He went 0-for-4 Thursday and is now 1for-17.