CHICAGO -- Mets pitcher Tylor Megill underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on Monday, sidelining him for the rest of this season and likely all of next year as well.
Megill, 30, has not pitched since spraining his right elbow in June. At the time, doctors told him he had not sustained any ligament damage. But when Megill’s elbow discomfort resurfaced during a Minor League rehab start in September, he underwent another MRI that revealed an issue.
“You feel for the individual,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It’s going to be a while before he takes the mound again. But wishing him a quick recovery.”
A member of the Mets’ Opening Day rotation, Megill raced out to a strong start with a 1.09 ERA over his first five outings. Though his results became inconsistent after that, he remained in the rotation until the time of his initial injury in June.
Given the length of Megill’s recovery and how much can change over the next year and a half, it is now difficult to forecast Megill’s future. The right-hander is under team control for two more seasons, but his $1.975 million salary this year makes him an obvious non-tender candidate.
Over five seasons with the Mets, Megill is 26-26 with a 4.46 ERA.
“Obviously, we’ll miss him -- especially when you’re talking about the [pitching] depth,” Mendoza said. “So, unfortunate. Our job is now to get him back on the field as quickly as possible.”
Separately, Mets reliever Reed Garrett continues to await follow-up opinions on his own right elbow. Garrett, who is likely done for the season no matter what happens, could also undergo Tommy John surgery at some point in the near future.