Yoenis Cespedes roller-coaster flight of a Mets profession ended Sunday afternoon with the announcement he is pulling out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns and his contract set to end after this reduced campaign.
Here is a take a look at some of the highs and lows of his turbulent time as a Met:
Aug. 2, 2020: Cespedes does not show up to the ballpark for a game versus the Braves, leading to issue for his health. Later on, the Mets announce he has actually chosen out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns, successfully ending his time as a Met with his contract set to expire after the season.
July 20, 2018: After being out for more than two months with a stretched right hip flexor, Cespedes homers in a victory over the Yankees. He missed out on the rest of the season and the entire 2019 project.
July 20, 2018: After being out for more than two months with a strained right hip flexor, Cespedes homers in a triumph over the Yankees. Later on, nevertheless, he exposes he needs surgical treatment on both heels. He missed out on the remainder of the season and the whole 2019 campaign.
Oct. 27, 2015: Cespedes misplays, then boots, an Alcides Escobar fly ball that turns into an inside-the-park house run leading off the home initially inning in Game 1 of the World Series. The run would return to haunt the Mets in a 5-4, 14-inning defeat to the Royals.
May 20, 2019: The Mets announce Cespedes fractured his best ankle while on his ranch in Florida after a “violent” fall. The Post later on reports he was hurt on the ranch stepping into a hole after an interaction with a wild boar and it leads to his base wage this year getting cut by $23.5 million following a settlement to prevent a complaint hearing.
Lows
Sept. 9, 2015: In a series sweep of the Nationals that basically finishes up the NL East, Cespedes drives in seven homers and runs twice. In the finale, his two-run shot in the eighth proves to be the game-winner.
July 5, 2016: Cespedes is voted in as a starter for the All-Star Game, though he does not play due to injury.
Highs
July 31, 2015: The Mets land Cespedes simply prior to the trade due date, sending out the Tigers pitching prospects Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa.
Aug. 2, 2020: Cespedes does not show up to the ballpark for a game versus the Braves, causing concern for his health. Later on, the Mets reveal he has pulled out of the season due to COVID-19 issues, effectively ending his time as a Met with his contract set to expire after the season. The Post reports that he was distressed about being benched and worried he was being kept out of the lineup to avoid him from reaching lucrative performance bonus offers.
Aug. 4, 2016: Cespedes goes on the 15-day handicapped list (now called the hurt list) with a quad injury. The day before, previous major leaguer Kevin Millar tweets an image of himself playing golf with Cespedes, leading to concerns if that has a role in the injury, which the Mets deny.
Nov. 29, 2016: After leading the Mets to successive playoff berths, Cespedes accepts terms on a four-year agreement worth $110 million.
July 24, 2020: In his first video game in more than two years, Cespedes whacks a consent solo homer in the seventh inning as the Mets beat the Braves on Opening Day of this truncated season.
