Asdrubal Cabrera received permission from the Mets last week to begin playing winter league baseball for his native Venezuela, which he began last Thursday, a source recently told Newsday.
Cabrera has so far played in four games, serving as the DH and playing second base.
He has no hits, one walk and three strikeouts during 11 at-bats.
According to MLB.com, in addition to playing this winter, Cabrera plans to play for Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, which will be played next March.
Cabrera missed time and frequently played through pain last season, dealing with a strained patellar tendon in his left knee.