In a flurry of roster moves, the Mets announced that first baseman Pete Alonso has been placed on the injured list with a sprained right hand. Right-hander Tommy Hunter is also headed to the 10-day IL due to a lower back injury. To replace that pair on the active roster, the Mets recalled right-hander Yennsy Diaz from Triple-A Syracuse and selected the contract of veteran infielder/outfielder Brandon Drury. Left-hander Daniel Zamora was designated for assignment in order to open a spot for Drury on the 40-man roster.
The 26-year-old Alonso said that his injury troubles began when he was hit by a pitch back on May 5 (Twitter link via Tim Healey of Newsday). He was hitting .281/.369/.517 at the conclusion of that day’s doubleheader, but in the 11 games since that time he’s mustered only a .132/.261/.237 slash while clearly playing through some discomfort. The Mets have yet to provide an expected timeline for his return.
Normally, Dominic Smith would step in as the primary first baseman in the event of any Alonso injury, but he’s currently been thrust into everyday duties in left field thanks to a slew of injuries elsewhere on the roster. Alonso joins Michael Conforto (strained hamstring), Brandon Nimmo (bone bruise), J.D. Davis (sprained finger), Jeff McNeil (strained hamstring), Albert Almora (shoulder contusion), Kevin Pillar (facial fractures), Luis Guillorme (strained oblique) and Jose Martinez (torn meniscus) on the injured list — and that’s just the list of position players on the shelf for the Mets. They’re also currently without Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco, Noah Syndergaard, Dellin Betances and Seth Lugo.
It’s still possible that Smith will take the bulk of the work at first base, as Drury has experience in the outfield corners in addition to considerable time spent bouncing around the infield. Regardless, the Mets’ current lineup looks nothing like the front office envisioned when putting this team together. They’ve already picked up Cameron Maybin and called up former Giants farmhand Johneshwy Fargas to help cover ground in the outfield. Jose Peraza and Jonathan Villar are being counted on as starters in the infield at the moment as well.
That mountain of injuries will combine to cost Zamora his 40-man roster spot. The 28-year-old lefty hasn’t appeared in the Majors since 2019, but he’s logged a 4.o8 ERA with a 24-to-8 K/BB ratio in 17 2/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Mets in the past. Zamora sported a fine minor league track record prior to 2021, but he’s been absolutely shelled in Syracuse so far, surrendering 15 runs on 10 hits and 10 walks with seven punchouts in just 6 2/3 innings. The Mets will have a week to trade him or try to pass him through outright waivers. His monumental struggles in Triple-A this year might make it hard for another club to feel comfortable claiming him.
mlbnyyfan
What’s with both NY teams and injuries. Must be something in the water.
LordD99
It’s prevalent across the game this year, particularly lots of soft tissue injuries. Some speculated this might happen coming off the shortened season, although I don’t know why.
deweybelongsinthehall
The Yankees have had more than the average number of injuries many years running. The Mets is just a sad situation with a couple of fluke injuries. I don’t want to jinx certain clubs but it’s not all clubs. Having said that, watch the Red Sox. They’ve babied their staff with 14 pitchers on the roster at least until now.
LordD99
I don’t disagree. The Mets are going through a tough injury stretch and the Yankees have had an issue with that for a few years running. Health is a skill. Some players are simply more injury prone. A strength of the Red Sox this year so far has been health. Shouldn’t be underestimated. My comment though was more in general. Soft tissue injuries are up significantly this year across the game.
rct
It may be prevalent across the league, but the Yankees and especially the Mets have been hit way harder than most teams. It’s insane how many injuries the Mets have had.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Give me a break, everyone is being hit hard, New York is NOT the exception! The IL is a bloodbath!
MetsFan22
People can’t seriously think they been hit the same as the Mets lol!
Flyby
@Curly
Name me how many teams have 7 out of 9 of their opening day lineup on the IL together?
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
I’ll try but I’m between tears right now
Ducky Buckin Fent
Yes.
@mestfan22.
They can. Because many teams have. They just don’t post about it on Every Single Thread.
Hint: this is behavior you may want to emulate.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
I’m originally from New York & your reaction to these injuries is embarrassing. Stop complaining & if your team is as good as you think, they will rebound
marcfrombrooklyn
Currently, Mets have 16 players on the IL. The Dodgers, Padres, and Mariners have 13. each..
Ducky Buckin Fent
& earlier this year the Brewers had 18(!).
So.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Oh my God, it’s the doubleheader of the living dead!
Flyby
@ducky
did they not report the brewers il? i dont remember them having that many out at one time. I saw a few names but no where near that many.
Now i dont feel as bad.
iamhector24
Curly if you think that other teams are hit as hard as the mets you lack common sense. The Mets are missing their starting 1b, 2b, 3b, CF, RF, and opening day starter. They’re also missing their 2, 3, and 4 SP. That doesn’t include the reserves that got hurt after the fact.
Ducky Buckin Fent
They did, @flyby.
Over a month ago by now. Back when Yellich first was put on. Some of those were Covid related, if memory serves.
Lotta guys though.
It’s been a really tough year all around MLB with injuries.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
iamhector24, My common sense tells me you are being pathetic and sad. Every team is missing major pieces. This “Woe Is Me” doesn’t fit my days back in New York. ’69 was my favorite. Stop feeling sorry for yourself & root for your team.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
The fact the Mets are in first place and you’re all whining as much as you are is pathetic. I’m ashamed to be from New York.
rct
@Curly: Mets have SIXTEEN players on the IL. This isn’t whining or an excuse. It’s a simple fact. If you think ‘everyone’ is being hit that hard, you have no idea what you’re talking about.
rct
You should be more ashamed that your complete ignorance of the Mets’ injury situation is not stopping you from commenting on it. It’s not whining to point out how crazy their situation is right now. It’s just reality.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
You sad, pathetic, FIRST PLACE babies. This is the last post for me on this list of candy asses. First place isn’t good enough for you, you have to be rocked to sleep by Mommie at night as well. WOW!
padam
6. Smith, Lindor and McAnn aren’t injured.
Flyby
@padam
Are you referring to me? If you are, the opening day lineup did not have smith in it. So 7 is correct.
iamhector24
Who the f is whining? I stated facts. I’m sorry that your schooling didnt teach you reading comprehension. Im sure you can find Reading Rainbow on YouTube.
Mystery Team
Yeah the whole shortened season theory makes zero sense. It’s an excuse for a bunch of pillowy soft players taking weeks at a time off for minor injuries. Literally typical everyday bumps and bruises have evolved into multi week IL stints. The worst is when you see supposed injured players in the middle of game winning celebrations jumping around and throwing water everywhere. I’m thinking isn’t that guy DTD with a strained thumb knuckle on his non-throwing hand? or hey they just put that guy on the 10 Day IL with a bruised second to last toe on his right foot and here he is jumping up and down like a maniac.
Al Hirschen
The New York MASH 4077
JackStrawb
@mlbnyyfan In the case of Alonso, it was typical Alderson foolishness. Alonso told the team immediately after being HBP’ed that he was injured, and they kept running him out there despite his .132/.261/.237 slash line following May 5th and his projectable, ever-lengthening recovery period, not to mention the increasing likelihood of more severe injury as he kept playing.
In this case, like so many Mets wounds, it was self-inflicted. Every day it’s clearer, that the absurdities under the Wilpons were in no small part attributable to Alderson.
Nes
omg make it stop!
davidk1979
This is obscene already
CravenMoorehead
MLB IL stints in NY are starting to outweigh the amount of taxis in the city
deweybelongsinthehall
I thought you wrote taxes. Both almost seem like true statements.
CravenMoorehead
TAXES OR TAXIS. THE CHOICE IS YOURS.
sufferforsnakes
I choose neither.
StudWinfield
This is child’s play for Yankee fans
MetsFan22
Not really. This is worst than you guys had a few yea back.
pinstripes17
No it isn’t, the Yankees had like 30 players on the IL in 2019. Stop crying.
rct
4/5 of the rotation and now 5/8 of their starting position players *currently* on the IL. I think it’s pretty on par with what Yankees fans have dealt with.
thebaseballfanatic
DRURY???? WHY???? WHY WOULD ANYONE NEED DRURY???
he’s not even that bad I’m just a scarred Jays fan after watching him fail in every opportunity for 2-3 years
LordD99
Not sure what happened to him. Seemed to be a solid major leaguer in the making and then trended the wrong way.
DarkSide830
i think it was the vision issues
Metsfan9
That’s how desperate the Mets are at this point due to injuries. it’s either Drury, David Thompson, Cody Bohanek, Drew Jackson or rushing a prospect. Yikes lol
LordD99
When the Mets added him, my thought was this is a nice depth move, but pray you don’t need that depth because if Drury shows up something has gone very wrong!
sufferforsnakes
Ian Drury is awesome! Well, was awesome, with the Blockheads.
Bart Harley Jarvis
“Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Is all my brain and body need.
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Are very good indeed.”
Orel Saxhiser
Steve Adams signing off with “more to come” will have Mets fans even more on edge.
Dan Hunter
more to come= no nido no McGann no Dom, Stromans hurt.
Dan Hunter
no Alonso
no McNeal
No sho mendoza boy
no Davis
weak Dom
no Nimmo
No conforto
No Walker
no Cookie
no Syndergaard
no Lugo
15-1 score tonight, fish
VonPurpleHayes
Wait, what’s Doms problem?
Dan Hunter
weakness.
Orel Saxhiser
Weakness? He’s as tough as anyone on that team.
whynot 2
He didn’t ask what your mental problem was
Dan Hunter
No he is not..
sufferforsnakes
Good thing y’all got Lindor, huh? Hahahaha…..
MetsManMetsFan86
This aged well……great call Danny boy
MetsFan22
Marlins fans thinking they have a shot at the division after sweeping the AAA Mets!
Dan Hunter
Which they will..
VonPurpleHayes
You keep making excuses for losses that didn’t even happen yet and may never happen. Just enjoy the game. Marlins literally lost their entire team last year and their fans weren’t crying all over the board. It’s nauseating.
Dan Hunter
ok
VonPurpleHayes
@Dan Hunter sorry that was for MetsFan22.
MetsFan22
I’m pretty sure they’ll sweep us. Phillies would too! We don’t have anyone rn. Maybin is hitting 3rd lol..
VonPurpleHayes
The Mets strength is not their offense. They’ve been winning on the strength of their pitching and random homeruns from Nido and Pillar. Who will play hero tonight? Probably someone most people never heard of.
MetsFan22
Their offense is good. They just weren’t hitting..
VonPurpleHayes
Their offense has been questionable going on 3 years now. Mainly the ability to score runs which is really the most important thing. I agree their underperforming now, but this seems like a league-wide issue that may never quite fix itself. Lindor will come around though.
VonPurpleHayes
*they’re underperforming
gbs42
Hitting is a rather important component of offense.
YankeesBleacherCreature
@MetsFan22 It’s arrogant, naive statements like these which is the reason why your arguments holds no credibility. You love talking doo-doo but when you get lashback, all you do is make excuses and deflect. Like seriously, man the eff up.
pinstripes17
Keep making excuses, sad!
Brooklynmetsfan 2
15-1? So you think the marlins score 15 whej the Mets held the braves to 10 in 3 games? Lol ok
Dan Hunter
Yep, with some real players and adrenaline
VonPurpleHayes
Mets scored 2 in the 1st already.
sirklearhead
So much like May of 73. 7 of the 8 starting regulars were down at one game in late May. Seaver pulled a hammy. McGraw appeared to be falling off. I t took to late August before we told the World “ya gotta believe “
crshbng
As a jays fan, i can relate. Also as a jays fan, hearing that diaz and drury are being called up really makes me feel sorry for the mets.
Say Hey Now Kid
Mets should have fired their trainer when they let go of the hitting coaches
Orel Saxhiser
Why?
Dan Hunter
A trainer does not talent make.
rrieders
Mets are missing all but one SP and two starting position players from their optimal lineup and rotation. Yet they still are guaranteed to finish the day in 1st place.
And Lindor and McCann have been two of the worst hitters in the sport so far.
rct
They’ve actually got three position players from their optimal lineup: Lindor, McCann, Dom Smith.
Dan Hunter
oooooooo
Grade_1_teacher
Only Smith is having an OK season out of the last three healthy players in their regular lineup.
Dan Hunter
1st place was fun while it lasted…….oh wait, no it was not.
MetsManMetsFan86
Any more predictions Danny boy?
Dan Hunter
Mets need a day in day out RBI man, who can field. Fire Schmire.
Datashark
look for Drury to be released in a few weeks
Grade_1_teacher
I felt that way too because I’m a Jays fan and he was there like two seasons. Drury should be selling cleats at Dick’s.
mrmet17
A lot of y’all make me embarrassed to be a Mets fan…
Dan Hunter
Why?
mrmet17
Because I read the comments…
Dan Hunter
How do they make you feel “embarrassed”?
Orel Saxhiser
If you want to feel embarrassed, read the comments on Metsmerized. Nonstop negativity by Mets fans who don’t understand baseball. I think they enjoy it when the Mets lose.
rct
@Cey Hey: You speak the truth.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Y’all? Please, real Mets fans know the proper term is ‘yous guys’.
rct
Ayyy, I’m walkin here!
Metsfan9
Lol the Marlins will be playing the Syracuse Mets tonight
Rsox
Players came back from a long layoff after the ’94 strike and there wasn’t this many injuries. Do these guys need more PED’s? or less? I’m not even sure anymore
Dan Hunter
Watch Mets Try to pull of a Mesaroco and trade Nimmo and Khalil for Marte,, tonight, or try
Robrock30
Same Old Mets but they have been winning and remain in 1st place.
Just in time for the usual June swoon.
Dan Hunter
Very good chance they will be 11 games below 500 in one month.
MetsFan22
Are we talking about the marlins?
rct
Could you maybe confine your thoughts to one post?
Dan Hunter
No the Mets.
Downhill.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Wow, Tommy Hunter on the IL! I don’t think anyone saw this coming.
Grade_1_teacher
As a Blue Jays fan, I want to tell Mets fans that they need to pray for Pete Alonso’s quick recovery and to change the channel when Brandon Drury is hitting because he is garbage. I can’t believe we got him and McKinney for Happ and he plays like losing is OK with him. Mets fans are better off with anyone else. Maybe Bobby Bonilla can volunteer a few innings in the infield because he’s still drawing checks from the Mets.
worthington
Cohen brought some more good karma to that sewer org.
Dan Hunter
Why is Alderson taking a hershey squirt while Steve Cohen has 15 million clams .Dont they want make believe they are contending?
Dan Hunter
Already 2-0 Marlins 2nd inning.
VonPurpleHayes
Are you high? The Mets were up 2-0. Now they’re up 3-1.
whynot 2
What is the deal with those Marlin uniforms? They are hideous
Dan Hunter
Who cares they winning.
whynot 2
Well obviously I do
rct
haha, I texted my friends about them because they were so hideous.
Dan Hunter
Did Mickey Mantle not play with osteomyolitis and two shot knees.
He hit 2 homeruns than puked in the locker room,
whynot 2
Are you sure he wasn’t just drunk?
Yankee Clipper
Dan, your point is valid, but that’s not a fair comparison. These guys today hold no comparison to Mickey Mantle, or many others in that epoch. Look at Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and others. 20-24 years of play and they were still producing (by today’s standards, especially) to the very end.
padam
Producing? Willie Mays, one of my faves, couldn’t chase down a cab at the end of his career. I think the point that Dan was trying to make is that players played through pain and injuries. Today they can’t play with a blister.
Dan Hunter
Why Cannot it be done again?
Dan Hunter
either way it worked.
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
The only thing I like about the Mets are Howie Rose and Ron Darling. But I feel sorry for Mets fans about this rash of injuries. I mean, the Cubs gave you Cameron Maybin and he’s hitting third tonight!
The bottom of the 40 man rosters is being crushed across MLB this year. 2023 is going to be a total injury and roster mess if there is any kind of lengthy labor stoppage after this season.
jim stem
3 hours pre-game and Mets still have not named their starting pitcher. Well, TBD are his initials. Same for tomorrow.
Hunter, who had been eating
up innings two at a time, will also hurt. May, Diaz, Castro and Smith have been used 3 of the last 4 days.
Rojas screwed up yesterday, big time. Knowing he had no SP for Saturday or Sunday (with the inconsistent Peterson going Monday), he pulls Stroman after a lead off walk in the SIXTH after just 89 pitches, leading 3-1.
Enter Castro, who pitched Tuesday and Wednesday, and 4 pitches later the game is tied.
Partially because of that stupid move, we needed pitchers into the THIRTEENTH inning!
Castro used again.
May used again.
Familia used again.
Drew Smith used again.
Loup used again.
…I think I’m missing a few. All because the starter couldn’t be risked to go past 90 pitches.
What’s even MORE of a travesty, is that Marlins, in the first game of the series, utilized a stupid ‘bullpen’ game, totally 8 pitchers to get through the first 9 innings. They literally exhausted every available reliever they and had NOBODY left had the Mets not won in the 13th.
Tell how this is protecting pitchers’ arms as it will almost certainly come into play in the 3-5 days.
Mets will almost certainly blow out one or two arms before Tuesday (deGrom’s speculated return) unless some pitcher can figure out how to go 6 today or tomorrow.
Speaking of deGrom, how stupid was it for him to waste 4 innings (plus a 5th simulated) versus single A hitters? On the team’s off day, no less. He obviously could have gotten another 3 days rest and gone those 5 on Sunday.
Just can’t expect all these relievers to pitch 5 out of 7 days without SOME consequences. Stay tuned…
Dan Hunter
Why is Alderson sitting on his hands when the Mets CLEARLY need help?
He has the money backing.
Cosmo2
What do you want him to do? Make a trade? Further deplete the farm in order to rectify a temporary situation?
VonPurpleHayes
Very few teams willing to make big trades in May.