MIAMI — Juan Lagares, the Mets’ defensive-minded backup outfielder, returned from his oblique injury on Thursday, which a week ago would most likely have meant that Michael Conforto would have been sent to Class AAA Las Vegas to play every day.
Instead, the Mets cleared room for Lagares by optioning Paul Sewald, the extra reliever they have been using for about a week. Conforto, after a strong showing in limited playing time, remained with the Mets in his role as a bench player.
“It’s hard because I’m a development kind of guy,” said Mets Manager Terry Collins, a former minor league director and coach.