Phillip Evans/Photo by Jennifer Nieves

When the Las Vegas 51s initially announced their starting lineup Phillip Evans was slated to bat second and play second base in place of the day-to-day Gavin Cecchini.  Since that time, Evans has been removed from the lineup.

Tonight, Yoenis Cespedes was not in the lineup even with the left-handed Jaime Garcia taking the mound.  One of the reasons why is what was once believed to be a right quad injury has now been diagnosed as a mild strain of his right hip flexor.  With this injury, this may very well lead the Mets to put their slugger on the disabled list.

If so, Evans would stand to be the only remaining available player on the 40 man roster with any outfield experience.  In the event Cespedes is put on the disabled list, Evans could provide depth as a fifth outfielder.  He could also serve as an alternative to Wilmer Flores and Jose Reyes at third base in Todd Frazier‘s absence.

Check back with MMN as this situation with Cespedes’ hip and Evans’ absence from the lineup continues to unfold.