Things haven’t been easy for the New York Mets this season. Among a litany of problems that have affected the team through its first month, injuries have been a major one. Obviously, no team gets through a season unscathed, but for the Mets these injuries always seem to come at the most inopportune times. Still, while there may be some unfortunate setbacks, there are also several injured Mets making great progress on their way back.
The Cavalry is (Almost) Here
Before the season began, pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Carlos Carrasco and Seth Lugo were always going to miss substantial time.
Starting with Syndergaard, by all accounts he is progressing nicely on his way back from Tommy John Surgery. Since early April, he’s been throwing bullpen sessions at the team’s facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Velocity wise, the last reports as of April 24 are that he reached 97 mph on his fastball during his first intra-squad game. Though this outing was only for one inning, facing live hitters and ramping up velocity are always good signs when returning from Tommy John.
Syndergaard is technically eligible to come off the injured list on May 31. That said, the time it will take to get fully stretched out via minor league assignments will keep Syndergaard’s ETA in mid-June.
As for Carrasco, things are much more complicated. Prior to Thursday’s announcement that he is being transferred to the 60-day IL, he was making excellent progress coming back from a torn hamstring. Pitching in multiple simulated starts throughout April, the Mets were originally optimistic that he would be back by mid-May. He was even scheduled to make his first appearance for Triple-A Syracuse this weekend. Now, it’s looking like Syndergaard might actually beat him back to the club.
The good news is that this delay is not a result of any health-related setback. Basically, his hamstring hasn’t quite returned to 100% yet. For the 34-year-old, keeping things cautious may ultimately be the best course of action.
Rounding out this trio is Lugo. Unlike Syndergaard and Carrasco, the steadfast reliever is expected to make his return by the end of May. Since undergoing elbow surgery on February 16, he has progressed without a hitch. Though he wasn’t cleared to resume pitching until late March, the results have been encouraging to say the least. As of April 24, he has started throwing bullpen sessions after throwing from flat ground in the weeks prior.
Offensive Support
Throughout the Mets’ offensive woes, three players have consistently stepped up to put the team on their back. Unfortunately, all three of them are on the IL.
First is Luis Guillorme. The infield utility man has been dealing with a right oblique strain since April 29. Fortunately, this isn’t a major ailment as Guillorme is expected back as early as this Sunday. Hitting .333/.478/.333 at the time of his injury, the Mets could certainly use his bat and glove back in the lineup.
Likewise, fellow infielder J.D. Davis isn’t expected to remain on the IL for too long. Retroactive to May 2, Davis has been on the 10-day IL dealing with a left hand sprain. Though nothing serious, Davis maintains that he isn’t quite ready yet, saying “this time around, I’m able to swing, but not at 100 or 90% swing. So it is just day to day.” On the bright side, he also says he doesn’t have much pain and isn’t too concerned overall. Slashing .390/.479/.610, his return would be a welcome one.
Lastly, there’s Brandon Nimmo. The potential All-Star was off to a record breaking start this year, compiling a .318/.430/.439 slash line before going on the IL with a bone bruise on his left index finger. Thankfully, like Davis, this isn’t a major concern. Right now, Nimmo is expecting to return by next weekend.
In the meantime, the Mets have alerted top outfield prospect Khalil Lee to prepare for a potential callup in Nimmo’s absence. Though it wouldn’t be for long, getting any glimpse at the young man in the majors is a very enticing offer.
With Brandon Nimmo on the injured list, the Mets have instructed seventh-ranked prospect Khalil Lee (of their recent KC-BOS trade) to be ready, per sources. Team officials have not yet decided if they will activate Lee…the earliest would be Friday, when the Mets return home.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 6, 2021
Featured Image Courtesy of Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers like Zach!
‘From our Haus to yours’
