Yoenis Cespedes leaves Game 4 of NLCS with sore left shoulder - MLB

Everything’s coming up Mets so far in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, except this one potential concern …

Marc Carig of Newsday reports that Yoenis Cespedes was removed from the game after the top of the second inning with soreness in his left shoulder. Cespedes struck out swinging in his at-bat during that two-run frame. He drew a walk and scored a run in the Mets’ four-run first.

Maybe the Mets’ big 6-0 lead over the Cubs played into the removal. Or perhaps it’s something more serious. Either way, the Cuban slugger will have six days of rest before the World Series if the Mets are able to finish up this Championship Series sweep.

New York entered Game 4 with a 3-0 series lead and jumped all over Cubs starter Jason Hammel.

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UPDATE, 9:37 p.m. ET: Mets manager Terry Collins told the TBS broadcast that Cespedes “couldn’t lift his left shoulder” when he came off the field in the top of the second inning. Collins didn’t have any further details, but that sounds pretty troubling.

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LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.