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.
Notes & quotes: Kodai Senga (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Friday. Depending on how he responds in the next few days, the Mets will decide whether he’ll follow that up with another bullpen session, live batting practice or a rehab game. He’s eligible to return from the 60-day IL on May 27 . . . Tylor Megill (shoulder) will make another rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, with a goal of five innings and 75 to 80 pitches. In his first two appearances for Syracuse, Megill allowed one run in 4 2⁄3 innings with no walks and 10 strikeouts . . . Drew Smith (shoulder) is slated for a second rehab inning Saturday. He allowed one run and a hit in one inning with Syracuse on Wednesday. “He came out feeling good physically,” Mendoza said, “[but] mechanically he was rushing a little bit.” . . . Adrian Houser made his Mets bullpen debut Friday in a 4-2 loss to Atlanta, a demotion after pitching to an 8.16 ERA this season. Houser allowed two walks and a hit in two innings but didn’t allow a run. He has a 1.71 ERA in 33 career bullpen appearances. Mendoza said he isn't sure how long he'll use Houser in that role.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
