The New York Mets have been dealt a tough blow as veteran left-handed reliever A.J. Minter (33) has landed on the injured list, the team announced Sunday afternoon. The news comes at a crucial point in the season, with the Mets fighting to stay competitive in a tightly packed National League East.
Minter, who joined the Mets in the offseason after several strong campaigns with the Atlanta Braves, had quickly established himself as a reliable arm out of the bullpen. In 18 appearances this season, he posted a solid 2.98 ERA with 22 strikeouts across 19.1 innings pitched. His ability to handle high-leverage situations made him a key piece in manager Carlos Mendoza’s late-inning strategy.
The Mets have yet to release specific details regarding the nature of Minter’s injury, but sources close to the team suggest it could involve a shoulder strain, an issue that has plagued him in the past. No official timetable has been given for his return, but early indications suggest he could miss several weeks, if not longer.
Losing Minter is a significant setback for a Mets bullpen already dealing with inconsistencies. With closer Edwin Díaz still working his way back to peak form and a rotating cast of middle relievers struggling to find consistency, Minter’s absence could amplify late-game vulnerabilities. Mendoza emphasized next-man-up mentality in a postgame interview, saying, “When you have a pitcher coming out of a game because of an arm, even if we get good news, you still gotta be careful.”
The Mets are expected to call up a replacement from Triple-A Syracuse in the coming days, though finding someone capable of replicating Minter’s production won’t be easy. Internal options include left-handers Josh Walker and Nate Lavender, both of whom have shown promise but lack Minter’s big-league experience.
For now, the Mets will have to lean heavily on veterans like Adam Ottavino and Jake Diekman to bridge the gap until Minter can return. As the season intensifies, every arm will count, and how the Mets adjust to this sudden loss could have lasting implications on their playoff hopes.
Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on updates regarding Minter’s condition in the coming days, as the Mets attempt to weather yet another storm in an already turbulent season.
