Injuries & Moves: Megill to IL (biceps tendinitis)
Keep track of the Mets’ recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season.
LATEST NEWS
May 15: RHP Tylor Megill placed on 15-day injured list
A day after his worst start of the season, in which he allowed eight runs over 1 1/3 innings in Washington, Megill began feeling a bit of right arm discomfort. It didn’t dissipate, and when Megill tried to throw a bullpen session on Saturday, he came away concerned enough to alert Mets trainers. On Sunday morning, the team placed him on the IL and sent him for an MRI that revealed a bout of right biceps tendinitis, which means that Megill has at least avoided any structural damage. He will back off from throwing for a few days, after which the Mets will reassess.
“I was worried just because I’ve never had discomfort,” Megill said. “I know what soreness feels like, but this wasn’t that. Obviously, I was a little freaked out about it, but the results came back really well. So it’s not too bad. I’m not worried.”
With Megill absent, David Peterson is the obvious candidate to step into the rotation, but because Peterson is not currently on turn, the Mets will still need a spot starter for Monday’s series opener against the Cardinals -- likely long man Trevor Williams, according to Buck Showalter. Peterson could join the rotation next week in Denver, by which point the Mets hope Megill will be well on his way to a recovery. He was enjoying a breakout season with a 4-1 record and 2.43 ERA in six starts prior to his loss to the Nationals.
In the short term, the team selected reliever Colin Holderman from Triple-A Syracuse and transferred Trevor May to the 60-day IL to clear roster space. Holderman learned of his promotion early Sunday morning. He drove to the stadium in Scranton, Pa. to grab his gear, then took an Uber to Queens, arriving while the game was already in progress. In the ninth inning, Holderman made his Major League debut, pitching a scoreless inning with two hits and a strikeout.
“Not the Sunday I was expecting,” Holderman said, “but the Sunday I really enjoyed.” -- Anthony DiComo
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Tylor Megill (right biceps tendinitis)
Expected return: Late May or early June
Megill landed on the injured list after giving up eight runs over 1 1/3 innings of a May 11 start against the Nationals, but a subsequent MRI revealed no structural damage. Although he’s eligible to return as soon as May 27, Megill’s ability to get back that quickly will depend upon how he responds once he restarts throwing in mid- to late May. The Mets, who were hoping to limit Megill’s innings in his sophomore season, won’t rush him. --Anthony DiComo (Last updated: May 15)
C James McCann (broken hamate bone in left wrist)
Expected return: Late June or early July
McCann will undergo surgery for his injury, ensuring an absence that will last around six weeks. For as long as McCann is sidelined, Tomás Nido and Patrick Mazeika will be the primary options to start behind the plate. The good news is that timelines for injuries such as these are relatively static, meaning McCann stands a good chance of returning by late June or early July. -- Anthony DiComo (Last updated: May 13)
60-day IL
RHP Jacob deGrom (stress reaction in right scapula)
Expected return: Mid-June at the earliest
deGrom restarted a throwing program in early May, in advance of an MRI -- his third since late March -- that he will undergo around the middle of the month. Prior to throwing, deGrom had spent his time loading and strengthening his shoulder, which entailed a series of resistance exercises. If all goes well, deGrom’s progression will take him from flat ground to bullpen sessions and eventually to Minor League game action, with the goal of making it back before the All-Star break. But the timeline is fluid. deGrom hasn’t pitched since being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right shoulder at the end of Spring Training. -- Anthony DiComo (Last updated: May 10)
RHP Trevor May (stress reaction in right humerus)
Expected return: Early July
Following another disappointing outing on May 2 in which he allowed two runs to bloat his ERA to 8.64, May said he hasn’t felt right since missing time early this season due to a sore right triceps muscle. He subsequently underwent testing that revealed a stress reaction in the lower portion of his humerus, the bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow. May will refrain from throwing for four weeks, at which point the Mets will send him for follow-up tests and potentially allow him to restart a throwing program. On May 15, the team transferred May to the 60-day IL, ensuring his absence until at least July 2. -- Anthony DiComo (Last updated: May 15)
RHP Sean Reid-Foley (recovery from Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2023
An MRI taken May 1 revealed a right UCL tear for Reid-Foley, who had departed the previous night’s game due to elbow discomfort. After receiving his test results, Reid-Foley consulted with additional doctors before deciding to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on May 10. That typically requires a 12- to 18-month rehab, putting Reid-Foley on track to return around midseason 2023. -- Anthony DiComo (Last updated: May 10)
LHP Joey Lucchesi (recovery from Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: August or September
An MRI taken on Lucchesi’s left elbow last June revealed a significant UCL tear, which required Tommy John surgery. The recovery typically takes between 12 and 18 months, putting Lucchesi on the borderline for a 2022 return. Mets officials have told him that if he recovers as scheduled, he should be able to help at least in a relief role before season's end. -- Anthony DiComo (Last updated: April 7)
RHP John Curtiss (recovery from Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2023
The Mets signed Curtiss on April 6 understanding that he will miss the entire 2022 season rehabbing from Tommy John. They hold an option on his contract for 2023, so if they’re pleased with what they see, they will exercise that and make him a part of their bullpen next season. Curtiss underwent surgery last September while he was in the Brewers' organization. -- Anthony DiComo (Last updated: April 7)