Mets' Reed Garrett avoids ligament tear, will miss 2-to-4 weeks with nerve inflammation
Mets relief pitcher Reed Garrett reacts as he walks off the mound after being taken out of the game during the ninth inning against the Nationals in an MLB game at Citi Field on Tuesday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Mets dodged a bullet on Thursday when the final analysis of imaging on Reed Garrett’s sore elbow revealed that he is suffering from nerve inflammation and did not suffer a ligament tear that would require surgery. The righthander has been an important part of the team’s corps of relief pitchers and will only be sidelined for two-to-four weeks, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
“I was concerned – it’s a huge relief,” Mendoza said. “It’s just inflammation. It’s a huge relief for all of us.”
Garrett gave up three runs and retired only two batters in Tuesday’s win over Washington and described discomfort in his elbow and forearm after exiting.
“Tuesday night was rough and when I got here Wednesday, I was worried [and] concerned,” Garrett said. “I’m happy that nothing’s wrong really.”
Garrett is 7-3 with four saves and a 3.64 ERA. He leads the team with 18 innings pitched in “late-and-close” situations (the seventh inning or later with the game within three runs).
He said that he felt cramping in his hand and had a lack of feel for the ball while on the mound Tuesday.
“I’ve never really experienced anything like this before,” he said. “I knew something was off and it didn’t feel right.”
The Mets added righty reliever Phil Maton in a Tuesday trade with Tampa Bay and likely have explored other potential bullpen acquisitions. Converted starter Jose Butto will probably remain in the bullpen – instead of getting stretched back to starting length in the minors – for the foreseeable future.
Maton impresses
Maton made his Mets debut in Thursday’s 7-0 win over the Nationals, retiring the side in order in the seventh inning. He recorded a pair of strikeouts in the 10-pitch effort.
Mendoza said that he’d seen plenty of Maton from opposing dugouts and said, “It’s the same Phil Maton I’m pretty familiar with. Now I’m glad he’s on my side.”
Martinez awakens
J.D. Martinez showed signs of shaking off a recent slump by going 3-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and two runs in Thursday’s win. It was his first multi-hit game since June 22. In the 13 games between them, he compiled a slash line of .163/.305/.286 and saw his batting average fall from .291 to .264.
Senga's rehab continues
Mendoza confirmed that Kodai Senga will pitch Sunday on four days of rest for Triple-A Syracuse, the third start of his minor league rehab assignment as he comes back from a shoulder injury. Mendoza said the hope is that he will throw 65 pitches, but didn’t speculate about how many more minor league games he would need before returning to the rotation.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
