UPDATE: Manager Terry Collins said he will get an MRI on Tuesday.
NEW YORK -- Yoenis Cespedes left the Mets' game against the Phillies with a left hamstring cramp on Thursday night at Citi Field.
With the Mets trailing 5-4 in the fifth inning, Cespedes drew a lead-off walk from Aaron Nola. Jay Bruce then grounded into a 3-5-1 double play and Cespedes pulled up grabbing his left hamstring and walked into the dugout and down the tunnel with trainer Ray Ramirez.
Collins soon followed him into the tunnel and quickly came out to signal the changes to the umpire. Michael Conforto moved from left field to right field and Juan Lagares came in to play centerfield.
"He just went down and he started cramping up," Collins said. "He didn't use the word to me, but I know that's what he told the trainers, 'I'm cramping up.' But again, when you talk about the hamstring in a guy like that with his muscle strength and his legs, you've got to be careful."
The Mets depth has been significantly thinned in the last 24 hours with catcher Travis d'Arnaud and first baseman Lucas Duda leaving the game on Wednesday with injuries. Although d'Arnaud is available to pinch hit, the Mets ended up having to move right fielder Jay Bruce to first base and call up catcher Kevin Plawecki from Triple-A Las Vegas, since T.J. Rivera was sent down on Friday and has to wait three more days before he can be recalled.
Utility infielder Wilmer Flores is also out with an infection in his knee. Him and Duda are said to be day-to-day but Collins said there's no timetable for a return on either player. Plawecki is considered the emergency first baseman and Juan Lagares can be moved to the infield if need be.
The Mets are trying to avoid a second straight series loss. The series is currently even at 1-1. They host the Washington Nationals on Friday.