PITTSBURGH — Yoenis Cespedes’ comeback is on hold.
The Mets outfielder was scratched from a scheduled rehab start at Single-A St. Lucie on Saturday, according to the team, after incurring soreness in his right quadriceps the previous night running the bases.
Cespedes, who is returning from a strained left hamstring, will not resume live at-bats until at least Tuesday, according to the club.
Cespedes’ setback only added to manager Terry Collins’ frustration following a 5-4 loss to the Pirates in 10 innings at PNC Park.
“Right now, if you put your sleeves on wrong, the wrong sleeve in first, the wrong arm in first, it backfires and you rip your shirt,” Collins said. “No matter what we do, it’s not working.”
Last year, Cespedes dealt with discomfort in his right quadriceps for much of the second half and was placed on the disabled list in August before returning to help carry the club to a National League wild-card berth.
He had been on the disabled list this season since April 28 with the hamstring strain, and Mets officials privately were hoping he would return for the start of the next homestand.