There are a number of ways to analyze Travis d’Arnaud‘s shoulder problems. It can be used as another example of the narrative that he’s injury prone. It could be used to explain his poor start at the plate. It could be used to explain why the Reds were 5/5 in stolen base attempts on Monday. 

It can also be seen as another opportunity for Kevin Plawecki. 

Plawecki had that chance last year, and he couldn’t take advantage. He hit .219/.280/.296 with three homers and 21 RBI. His OPS+ was 63, and his wRC+ was 60. It was about as ugly an offensive year as you could’ve had. To put it in perspective, Eric Campbell had a higher OPS+ and wRC+. You know it’s been a tough year at the plate when Campbell was the better hitter. 

Now, there were valid reasons for his struggles. First, he had no protection in that lineup. The aforementioned Campbell was at one time a middle of the order bat. Second, he might not have been ready. He had played less than one season’s worth of games in AAA. Finally, he had some health issues. He had offseason sinus surgery to help alleviate the dry spells he experienced during games last year. 

Whatever the reason, he struggled mightily. He was once seen as someone who could push d’Arnaud for playing time last year. Instead, his 2015 showed that d’Arnaud was clearly the better player. The Mets could’ve opted to start him in AAA this year to help his development, but ultimately, the team decided it was better to have him as a backup catcher. 

Now, depending on the severity of d’Arnaud’s shoulder, Plawecki is going to get a second chance to show the Mets he can be the team’s primary catcher. He can show them he can be the .290/.364/.432 hitter he was in the minors.  He has an opportunity to show his poor 2015 offensive numbers were driven by a low .277 BABIP.  He can show the team he’s every bit the pitch framer d’Arnaud is. He can show the Mets he’s more durable. Possibly, Plawecki can show he’s a better player and Wally Pipp d’Arnaud in the process. 

Plawecki is getting that all too valuable second chance to show the Mets he can be every bit the player they thought he was and more. He’s getting a chance to show the world what how good a ballplayer he really is. In essence, he’s getting a chance to show everyone he is better than d’Arnaud. 

This time he’s in a much better lineup. He has major league playing experience. He’s had surgery to alleviate the dizzy spells. He’s out of excuses. This is his chance, and he needs to take full advantage of it. 

Editor’s Note: this article was also published on metsmerizedonline.com