#Mets’ Marcus Stroman brushes off calf injury as ‘minor setback’

A day after he was placed on the injured list with a left calf tear, the Mets right-hander tweeted he’s dealing with a “minor setback” and isn’t concerned.

“Not even slightly worried,” Stroman tweeted. “More time consuming than anything. Threw a 55 pitch bullpen on Monday and felt great. Only feel it when jogging and sprinting. However, must be able to run at full speed when competing.”

The injury occurred, according to general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, when Stroman took a line drive off his leg during an intrasquad game last Friday and ran to cover first base. But the morning before the scrimmage, Stroman posted a picture of himself playing catch wearing a covering on the left calf.

“My understanding is the line drive was the start of it and then as he went through the days after, that is when he started getting treatment and had the sleeve on his leg,” Van Wagenen said. “As far as I know, I don’t know it was before the line drive.”

Van Wagenen said he didn’t know the grade of Stroman’s tear.

“I would leave it to the doctors to try to sort through that,” Van Wagenen said.

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Jed Lowrie’s status remains a mystery, even after he was examined this week by team orthopedist David Altchek. The infielder, who was recently placed on the injured list with left knee discomfort, is expected to receive a second opinion.

Van Wagenen said Lowrie has received “fresh images” of his knee, calf and Achilles tendon in an attempt to get a clear diagnosis of his ailment and what limitations he might have.

“The short version is we’re still searching for those answers,” Van Wagenen said. “We don’t have a very clear-cut picture, that’s the purpose of getting the second opinion and with that information we’ll be able to develop an action plan and have a better idea of what his availability might be going forward.”

Yoenis Cespedes, who is expected to start at DH on Friday, is clear to play the outfield during the season, according to Van Wagenen. The 34-year-old Cespedes, who is set to play his first major league game in more than two years, last played a full game in the outfield in May 2018.

“He has got the ability and the green light to play the outfield,” Van Wagenen said. “We’ll just have to be smart in terms of how and when we utilize him.”

Corey Oswalt hasn’t yet been slotted into manager Luis Rojas’ rotation, according to Van Wagenen, and will be available to pitch from the bullpen this weekend if needed. Rojas hasn’t named starters beyond Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz and Rick Porcello in the first three games of the season.