BREAKING: The New York Mets have placed reliever Reed Garrett on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation, just announced on Monday. The team remains hopeful that Garrett will only miss the minimum time after an MRI revealed no ligament damage.
This significant roster move comes retroactively to Saturday, following Garrett’s struggle against the Atlanta Braves, where he allowed two runs and three hits during a crucial eighth-inning performance in a 12-7 victory.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza highlighted Garrett’s recent challenges, stating, “He was having a hard time recovering.” Mendoza noted that Garrett, who has pitched frequently this season, showed signs of fatigue before the team’s decision to evaluate his condition.
Garrett’s statistics this season include a record of 3-5 with three saves and a 3.61 ERA across a career-high 54 appearances. However, his performance has dipped recently, with a troubling 6.97 ERA over his last ten games. To aid his recovery, Garrett is set to receive a cortisone shot, allowing him to potentially resume throwing in a matter of days.
In a related move, the Mets have called up José Castillo from Triple-A Syracuse to fill Garrett’s spot. Castillo has posted an impressive 2.19 ERA in 14 relief appearances this season and is expected to bolster the bullpen during Garrett’s absence.
Additionally, the Mets transferred struggling pitcher Frankie Montas to the 60-day injured list, following the announcement that he will miss the remainder of the season due to a right elbow injury.
In more positive news, catcher Francisco Alvarez continues to make strides in his recovery from a right thumb sprain. After taking batting practice for the second consecutive day, he is on track for a minor league rehabilitation assignment as early as Wednesday or Thursday. Mendoza expressed amazement at Alvarez’s progress, stating, “I couldn’t believe it… That’s pretty impressive there.”
Alvarez has been a standout player this season, batting .323 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in just 21 games. Overall, he boasts a .265 average with seven home runs and a .787 OPS in 56 games with the Mets.
The Mets are set to face the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies in a critical three-game series starting today. Fans and team officials alike will be watching closely to see how these roster changes impact their playoff aspirations.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops, and keep an eye on the Mets’ performance against the Phillies in this vital series.