CHICAGO -- New York Mets reliever Buddy Carlyle, who was forced to depart Monday's game against the Chicago Cubs after his lower back tightened and experienced spasms, may be headed to the disabled list.
Manager Terry Collins said the club is unwilling to go several days with Carlyle (pictured) active but unavailable. So Collins mentioned Triple-A Las Vegas relievers Chasen Bradford, Zack Thornton and Jack Leathersich as call-up candidates if Carlyle lands on the DL.
Leathersich may have an edge because he already is on the 40-man roster, although the Mets can shift Jerry Blevins (broken forearm) to the 60-day DL if required.
Carlyle was in enough difficulty after departing Monday's series opener at Wrigley Field that Collins said the 37-year-old reliever had difficulty descending the dugout steps and getting back to the clubhouse. Carlyle already had been dealing with a hamstring issue.
"He needed help to get down the steps when his back tightened up and his hamstring tightened up on him," Collins said. "As we're seeing with someone else on this team, those are two injuries that go hand in hand. We'll probably be very careful. We'll have to check him again tomorrow, see what [trainer] Ray [Ramirez] thinks and make a determination where he is."
Collins was alluding to difficulties experienced by captain David Wright, who initially strained his right hamstring and more recently has developed lower-back pain.
Collins said it was impractical to place Carlyle on the DL before Tuesday's game anyway because of the difficulty getting a player from Las Vegas.
Carlyle has a 5.63 ERA and one save in 11 relief appearances this season.
