Mets right-hander Drew Smith says that his ulnar collateral ligament has important harm and can seemingly require Tommy John surgical procedure, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com on X. The righty is getting a second opinion however appears slated for a prolonged absence.
If surgical procedure is finally required, it’s horrible timing for Smith. On the finish of this season, he’s set without cost company and was placing up some first rate numbers. He has made 19 appearances for the Mets this 12 months, permitting 3.06 earned runs per 9 innings. His 11.4% stroll price is a bit excessive, however he’s countered that with a robust 29.1% strikeout price.
He’s additionally been taking part in a key position within the membership’s bullpen not too long ago, with two saves and 6 holds in 2024. He additionally saved three video games final 12 months and acquired double-digit maintain numbers within the earlier two seasons. Relationship again to the beginning of 2021, he has a 3.35 ERA in 161 1/3 innings with a 26.2% strikeout price and 10.2% stroll price.
That might have been a good platform to take into free company if he had been wholesome and continued pitching effectively for the following few months. As a substitute, it appears seemingly that he’ll be going into the open market whereas rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure, the second of his profession. He already went beneath the knife in March 2019, lacking that season and most of 2020.
An emotional Smith spoke to reporters, with video relayed on X by SNYtv. Smith himself articulated that there’s by no means a superb time to bear this process. Nonetheless, it might be particularly irritating for it to conclude his time with the Mets and hamper him going into his first journey to free company.
Gamers on this place will generally discover two-year offers, with the signing membership conscious that they’re unlikely to get a lot return on their funding within the first 12 months however hopefully get a bounceback at a reduction within the second 12 months. He’s already on the 15-day injured checklist and can seemingly be transferred to the 60-day IL as soon as the Mets want his roster spot.
It will give the Mets a bit much less bullpen depth for the remainder of the 12 months. They’ve already misplaced Brooks Raley to Tommy John surgical procedure, whereas Sean Reid-Foley and Shintaro Fujinami are on the injured checklist. Edwin Díaz is a giant query mark as he has struggled in his return after lacking all of final 12 months and is presently serving a ten-game sticky stuff suspension.
Regardless of some challenges, the Mets are only one recreation again of a playoff spot. In the event that they grasp round for the following month, they might maybe look to improve their aid corps on the deadline, although a big dropping streak might additionally push them right into a vendor place.
