Kevin Pillar returns to Mets following gruesome injury

New York Mets activated outfielder Kevin Pillar from the 10-day injured list on Monday, weeks after getting hit in the face by a pitch.

It is no secret that the New York Mets were bitten badly by the injury bug earlier this month. One of those injuries was to outfielder Kevin Pillar, who was struck in the face inadvertently by a pitch thrown by Jacob Webb of the Atlanta Braves, resulting in multiple facial fractures.

Pillar won’t have to wait to get on the field any longer, as he tweeted out “I’m back,” on Monday afternoon. Shortly after Pillar’s announcement, the Mets made it official by saying he was activated off the 10-day injured list alongside first baseman Pete Alonso and pitcher Seth Lugo.

Mets: Kevin Pillar activated from 10-day injured list on Monday

Pillar revealed on Monday, via ESPN, that his goal is to return to the lineup this Wednesday for the team’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Additionally, Pillar said that he will be wearing a protective mask when he’s in the outfield and on base, as bones in his nose have yet to fully heal. As for when he bats, he will wear a C-flap on his helmet.

Prior to that May 17 game against the Braves, the Mets had placed fellow outfielder Michael Conforto due to a hamstring injury. Then, Pillar went down with his facial injury. Since Pillar was out, the team won six out of their ten games played.

Prior to his injury, Pillar was slashing .250/.294/.388 while recording two home runs, eight RBI, 10 runs scored and 20 hits in 28 games.

The Mets are slowly but surely returning to full health, which is great news for the fan base. They were certainly pumped up on Monday after finding out that fan favorite Pillar was one step closer to returning to the outfield.