Mets' Brooks Raley shut down as he continues to experience left elbow pain
Brooks Raley of the New York Mets on April 14, 2024. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Mets have shut down Brooks Raley and will send him to get a consultation with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister after the lefthander’s elbow inflammation proved worse than originally believed, Carlos Mendoza said on Friday.
“Not close,” Mendoza said when asked if Raley, who was eligible to come off the 15-day injured list earlier this week, is nearing a return. “[He’ll be visiting Meister] just to make sure we’re not missing anything before we can take the next step . . . He won’t throw until he sees the doctor.”
The New York Post reported last week that Raley was experiencing “at least a fraying of the ligament in the elbow.” When asked Friday if Raley could miss the entire season, Mendoza said it was “too early to tell. I’m not going to sit here and speculate.”
Raley, who will turn 36 on June 29, was one of two lefties in the Mets’ bullpen, along with Jake Diekman. In eight appearances (seven innings) this season, he struck out nine and allowed no runs, two hits and three walks.
Tommy John surgery could be a career-ender for Raley, given his age and the recovery time.
The Mets aren’t likely to have another lefty at their disposal until David Peterson (hip) returns — something he won’t be eligible to do until May 27.
Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.
