Brandon Nimmo Injury: Mets’ Outfielder Leaves Early With Neck Stiffness

By Oliver Wiener August 23, 2025 16:00

New York Mets veteran outfielder Brandon Nimmo left their August 20, 2025, game against the Washington Nationals early in the second inning due to neck stiffness, raising fresh concerns for a team desperate to maintain momentum in a tight National League East playoff race. While the issue isn’t deemed serious by the Mets’ staff, it reflects a chronic condition that Nimmo has battled since suffering a significant neck injury in 2019, and it poses challenges for New York’s postseason hopes.

Nimmo first experienced the symptoms on game day morning, not from any game action. The stiffness progressively worsened as he prepared to play, prompting Mets manager Carlos Mendoza to remove him after his first at-bat, in which Nimmo grounded into a double play. Starling Marte replaced him in left field. Mendoza described the situation: “It just didn’t get better. It got to a point where he couldn’t do it. He was like, ‘I’m going to try it,’ and then after the first at-bat and playing the outfield, it got to a point where he couldn’t do it”.

Nimmo himself provided candid perspective on his condition, offering insight into both its impact and his efforts to manage it. “Sometimes, depending on how serious it is, I can kind of tough it out and play through it,” he said. “But this one was affecting the swing and me running. I wasn’t able to do what I wanted on defense, either. I wasn’t able to look up… So we decided to go ahead and get out of there.” Reflecting on the chronic nature of the problem, Nimmo acknowledged, “It’s just unfortunately a chronic thing that I’m going to have to deal with for the rest of my career. We’ve been able to do a pretty good job of keeping it at bay for the most part. Unfortunate for it to show up again this year”.

This neck stiffness is a lingering effect of a severe whiplash and bulging cervical disc injury resulting from a crash into the outfield wall on April 14, 2019. Nimmo has experienced flare-ups intermittently since then, including a similar episode that forced him out of a May 23 game earlier this season. Treatment protocols currently involve muscle relaxers, heat application, and stability exercises alongside careful rest. Nimmo is also mindful of his sleeping position, traveling with a pillow and sometimes using a soft collar at night to ease the symptoms.

Statistically, Nimmo remains a vital offensive contributor for the Mets. Over 122 games this season, he holds a slash line of .254/.325/.436 with 20 home runs and 12 stolen bases, integral to New York’s lineup depth. His ability to get on base and stretch defensive plays in left field is notable as the Mets chase a Wild Card spot amid fierce competition. Losing Nimmo would put pressure on the Mets' bench and outfield depth, especially with injuries already affecting other key players like catcher Francisco Alvarez and Jeff McNeil.

Looking ahead, Nimmo expects a relatively brief absence, likely ranging from 24 to 48 hours, with the Mets cautiously optimistic about a quick return potentially by the end of the week. Mendoza emphasized the “day-to-day” nature of Nimmo’s status but reiterated the importance of not rushing the recovery. “We’ll be throwing all the modalities we can at it… The most effective way to treat this issue, Nimmo has learned, is just time,” Mendoza said.

The Mets’ playoff push could depend on managing these nagging injuries to maintain lineup stability and production. Nimmo’s resilience and the team’s medical care will be critical factors in whether New York sustains its late-summer momentum. Fans and teammates alike remain hopeful that the veteran outfielder’s neck stiffness flares can be minimized as the Mets continue battling for October relevance.

In this tightly contested campaign, even short-term absences of key players like Nimmo highlight how finely balanced the race for postseason positioning truly is. The Mets now prepare to navigate the days ahead with cautious optimism, knowing each game and player availability could tilt the scales in the dogfight for playoff glory.