Kirk Nieuwenhuis needs to focus on 'two-strike approach'
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) Mets manager Terry Collins said demoted outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas Tuesday, needs to focus on striking out less and making more contact. Nieuwenhuis, who struck out eight times in 17 plate appearances, hit .125 (2 for 16) in 13 games.
"If Kirk was a big-time power hitter, you would probably ignore the strikeouts a little bit," Collins said to The Star-Ledger. "But when he’s most dangerous is when he’s making contact, so one of the things we certainly want him to go down and do that is to really concentrate on two-strike approach."
Mets ship Kirk Nieuwenhuis to Triple-A
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) The Mets announced Tuesday they demoted outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis to Triple-A Las Vegas, replacing him on the roster with Juan Lagares. Nieuwenhuis hit .125 (2 for 16) with one RBI in 13 games.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis struggling in reserve role
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/18/2013) Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis has been unable to find everyday at bats so far this season, and his play has yet to prove worthy an expanded role.
Nieuwenhuis struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance Thursday in an 11-3 loss to the Rockies, giving him a five-game hitless streak. He has received eight at bats in that span.
Nieuwenhuis has just two hits in 15 at-bats this season.
Mets' bench players to work way into lineup
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Mets manager Terry Collins said Thursday he will start working some of his bench players into the starting lineup this weekend against the Marlins. Among those players are outfielders Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Mike Baxter, who are both expected to get a start this weekend.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis makes Mets as fourth outfielder
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) Mets center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis has made the team's opening day roster as a fourth outfielder. He recorded just three hits and five walks in 41 plate appearances this spring.
Nieuwenhuis made at least 20 appearances at all three outfield positions while hitting .252/.315/.376 in 314 plate appearances during his rookie season in 2012.
Job slips away from Kirk Nieuwenhuis
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis returned to the starting lineup Sunday for the first time in three weeks, but it could still be too late for a spot on the opening day roster.
Nieuwenhuis, who was sidelined with a bone bruise in his right knee, went 0 for 3 with a pair of walks while serving as the leadoff hitter in New York's 9-4 loss to Detroit. He is now hitting .045 during Grapefruit League play and his extended absence could result in him starting the season with Triple-A Las Vegas.
"Anytime you go down to the last week of spring, you’ve got that going on, but I just got to relax and get going and just play like myself," Nieuwenhuis told The Star-Ledger. "It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like myself so really just more of that, trying to concentrate on where I should be and where I can be."
Kirk Nieuwenhuis returns to action
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis made a pinch-hit appearance in Saturday's game against the Nationals as he continues to work back from a bone bruise on his left knee. Nieuwenhuis struck out in the seventh and played in the outfield for two innings. It was his first Grapefruit appearance since March 3.
Still no timetable for Kirk Nieuwenhuis
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis served as DH in a minor-league game Wednesday as he continues to recover from a bone bruise in his left knee.
Manager Terry Collins told MLB.com there is no timetable for Nieuwenhuis' return to Grapefruit League play.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis to test knee in field
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013) ESPN reports Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis (knee) will play three innings defensively during a minor-league game Wednesday. He hasn't appeared in a spring game since early March.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis set for minor work
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis is expected to play in a minor-league game either Monday or Wednesday as part of his recovery from a bone bruise in his left knee that has kept him sidelined for two weeks, The Star-Ledger reports.
Nieuwenhuis, who has been hitting in a batting cage over the past week, last appeared in a game March 3 when he suffered the injury. While he is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, the lost playing time could cost him a spot on the Mets' opening day roster.
Nieuwenhuis gears up for return
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/13/2013) ESPN reports Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis (knee) hopes to resume baseball activities Thursday. He has been doing extensive workouts inside as he continues to rehab a bruised left knee he suffered March 4.
Nieuwenhuis nearing return
(3/9/2013) ESPN.com reports Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis was able to run on a submerged treadmill on Saturday as he continues to deal with a left knee bruise. Manager Terry Collins said Nieuwenhuis could return to game action as early as Wednesday. "It's felt better every day," Nieuwenhuis said. "I ran in the pool for about 10 minutes today. It's a good sign, for sure. I'm just waiting to get the last bit of inflammation out of there and we'll go from there."
Nieuwenhuis suffers bone bruise
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/4/2013) Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis avoided a serious injury after an MRI on Monday revealed he sustained a bone bruise in his left knee, ESPN.com reports. Nieuwenhuis suffered the injury when he slid headfirst into second base during Sunday's Grapefruit League game and will take anti-inflammatory medicine. "We'll see how it responds," he said. "I feel pretty good about it. It could be a few days. It could be a week. We'll see. I just have to wait it out and see how it responds to medicine."
Nieuwenhuis heading to doctor
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/3/2013) Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis will have his left knee examined after leaving in the seventh inning of Sunday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Marlins. Nieuwenhuis, considered the leading candidate for the starting job in center field, suffered the injury when he slid into second base on a steal and needed a cart to be transported from the dugout to the clubhouse in left field. "I probably could have limped, but it would have taken me a while," Nieuwenhuis told ESPN.com. "Hopefully it’s just a bad bruise. When I went to go take my lead, it just kind of buckled a little bit, but I think the ligaments are OK."
Nieuwenhuis a leadoff candidate
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/20/2013) Mets manager Terry Collins said Wednesday he will give outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis a chance to be a leadoff hitter this spring. “This guy played pretty good for us for eight weeks [in 2012]. I think it sends a huge message to him," Collins said, per ESPN. "Again, when we were playing really, really well, that guy was in center field. So he deserves the right to get the first shot.” Nieuwenhuis is flattered by the chance to emerge as the team's leadoff hitter. “Obviously it’s a compliment. For sure,” Nieuwenhuis said. “I’m hopeful to take this spot and run with it. You kind of set the tone for the game, and it’s a big responsibility. You just have to be aggressive and smart. That’s the biggest thing. A big part of leading off is seeing pitches, helping the club out in that way. If you could do that well, it goes a long way for the whole lineup and for the whole game.”
Nieuwenhuis at 100 percent
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (1/27/2013) Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis said he is ready to begin spring training after missing the end of the 2012 season because of a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot. "I'm excited to get back out there," he said. "I feel 100 percent heading into spring training."
