Mets manager Carlos Mendoza informed reporters, including Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, that infielder Nick Madrigal will require surgery on his fractured left shoulder. The recovery from that procedure will likely keep him out of action for the entire 2025 season.
The news doesn’t come as a shock. Madrigal dislocated his shoulder in Sunday’s game when falling to the ground after making a throw to first base on a ground ball. On Monday, the club announced that an MRI had revealed a fracture and that Madrigal would miss “a long time.” That timeline was nebulous but the Mets quickly put Madrigal on the 60-day injured list when they acquired Alexander Canario, suggesting they didn’t expect Madrigal back in the first two months.
Today’s news provides some more clarity on the situation. It seems there’s some chance that Madrigal could return late in the year, but the Mets will probably operate with the expectation that he won’t.
The Mets signed Madrigal to a one-year deal back in January after he had been non-tendered by the Cubs. He’s never been much of a hitter, with just four home runs in 940 big league plate appearances. His .274/.323/.344 batting line translates to an 88 wRC+. But he’s tough to strike out and is a strong defender at multiple infield positions.
It also seems like the Mets were attracted to the fact that Madrigal could still be optioned to the minors. Their bench is currently projected to include backup catcher Luis Torrens, who can’t be optioned. Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor are going to split center field, meaning one should be on the bench each day. Both of them are out of options. Jesse Winker and Starling Marte might platoon in the designated hitter spot and they both have at least than five years of service time, meaning they can’t be optioned without their consent.
That’s three out of four bench spots taken up by guys who can’t be sent to the minors. Throughout a long baseball season, there are situations that arise where players have small injuries that might require them to sit out for a few days but they don’t want to go on the injured list for a full ten-day minimum stint. In such cases, having some roster flexibility to bring a player up from the minor could be attractive. The Mets reportedly haven’t pursued a reunion with Jose Iglesias due to the fact that he would not be optionable.
With Madrigal now unlikely to return this year, the club will have to figure out who their bench infielder would be. Guys like Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña are on the 40-man but there are arguments against using those guys in a bench role. All three have the capability to be notable long-term pieces at the big league level, so the club presumably prefers to have them getting regular at-bats in Triple-A in order to continue their development.
On top of that, Baty doesn’t play shortstop. If he were the club’s bench infielder, there would be no cover for Francisco Lindor. He normally doesn’t take many days off but he’s now 31 years old and any player is susceptible to getting a small injury from fouling a ball off his leg or what have you. Mauricio is still working his way back from last year’s ACL tear and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready for Opening Day. Mike Puma of The New York Post relayed yesterday that Mauricio is now running at 80% speed and could get into some games before camp breaks.
Acuña is an option but, as mentioned, the Mets might prefer to have him playing regularly in the minors. If that’s true, then they would have to pivot to someone else. Luis De Los Santos and Donovan Walton are not on the 40-man but they are in camp as non-roster invitees. The Mets would have to open a roster spot to add one of them but they both have options. The Mets also have Yonny Hernández aboard on a minor league deal, though he’s not in big league camp. He has some big league experience and would also be optionable if added to the 40-man.
… infielder Nick Madrigal will require magic dust sprinkled on his fractured left shoulder?
When did the Mets acquire Alexander Canaria from the Cubs? What did the Cubs get in the transaction?
Cubs got journeyman Cash Considerations.
realsox: When you weren’t looking.
About a week ago, at most?
Cubs got ‘cash considerations,’ only. No players.
I told you all. Stearns is putting together a small ball team. If not for cohen stepping up to get Alonso and Soto this team would be in the struggling with Washington for last place. Stearns has to go. Period. This is no dodgers east as we were sold. He hasn’t done a damn thing with the minors either
It’s been 12 months and he already made the NLCS. What’d you accomplish in the last 12 months besides these unhinged rants?
” He hasn’t done a damn thing with the minors either”
You can be a psychotic if you like but this is a flat out lie. Grow up.
Winner of the 2025 Claude Rains award!
meckert: Explain, please.
Claude Rains: Star of the original The Invisible Man film. A classic. Also played Captain Louis Renault in Casablanca. Another classic.
meckert: I’m familiar with who Claude Rains is. Still not sure what that has to do with Madrigal’s injury.
Madrigal is going to be invisible for the year
That’s pretty much him healthy the invisible man with a glove popping out periodically if he plays.
Meckert old heh. Got any Ike jokes?
Go dry behind your ears, Sonny. We were here first and we were better than you. Child of a dying empire.
I prefer the Chevy Chase version
Meckert took the long way around, but I get it now.
Memoirs of an Invisible Man. Not bad, actually.
One hopes you’re not behind meckert at Starbucks while he pontificates on his decision
Never drink the stuff. (You can go back to your dumpster now.)
I’m thinking he’s the Mets new Jed Lowrie.
More like jed clampett amirite?
Nick Madrigal is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. And I had cancer twice.
Bringing back Alonso was the most predictable move, and now bringing back Iglesias is next.
I don’t think so. They already signed Nick’s replacement. Iglesias isn’t in the cards yet.
But personally, I think signing Iglesias back makes so much sense.
did you not read the article about why they won’t bring him back? read it again
No chance. The Mets got tired of his act and Alonso not a big fan.
If the Mets can find a way to jettison Marte, an Iglesias return would make some sense. Aside from that it’s tough to see it happening.
It’s only Cohen’s money. Yoshida with I believe options for Marte.
On a split contract, injured in ST, is he paid MLB or MiLB rate while on the IL?
They put him on the 60 Day IL, where he’ll remain all season; so MLB pay and service time applies…
Right, and whenever he returns he will no longer have options, so the entire reason he was signed (because he could be optioned to the minors), is gone.
Sitting on the major league injured list all season does not exhaust an option year. He will, however, accrue major league service time, bringing him a year closer to the 5-year mark.
It’s really a best case scenario for Madrigal. Gets his full MLB pay, service time and keeps his option which will add a little value to his services for ’26.
Uh, when you’re hurt all season there are no options
He has options: sip on a straw or have his meatloaf pureed
The shoulder’s connected to the …. Jaw bone?
Well he’ll be playing his best position in 2025. IL.
Cubs know a thing or two about Nick Madrigal and his IL stints…
He has spent the majority if his MLB career there. Might be the smartest guy in the game to figure out how to get paid for not playing. Somehow h3 needs to get on Angels for next years grift.
I’m pretty sure Rendon can make a claim to that title.
They had their shot at signing Tim Anderson who is lighting it up for the Angels
Jackie is back?
How about a trade of Marte for Anderson?
He had a HR yesterday, so maybe he is back to old Tim
Jose iglesias come on mets
Youjustmadethatup: Hitting well in a few spring training at-bats doesn’t qualify as “lighting it up.”
Even with a fracture in his shoulder, Madrigal would still be the best second baseman on the White Sox.
And an expensive second baseman, Jerry wouldn’t keep him on payroll…
Acoss1331: So true. Even if it was minimum wage.
White Sox were smart enough to dump him when he tore his hamstring. Obviously they knew he was injury prone. Otherwise at the time he was traded to the Northside it appeared he was actually a decent leadoff and second base man. This is the second shoulder injury. He’s done.
What if that surgery zaps his power?
What if he has the surgery done by Dr. Zola and he ends up with a Bucky Barnes arm?
Rookie of the Ywar 2 starring Sebastian Stan as Nick Madrigal???….
Power? What power? Madrigal has no power to be zapped off…
He’d need power to zap first
That….that’s the joke
Heal up Nick. Fortunately for NYM he is an easily replaceable piece
Damn. That sucks. Seems like he just can’t stay healthy. Hoping for a fast and full recovery Nicky Two Strikes.
People blasting the mets, when it’s probably good news addition by subtraction. He’s easily replaceable. Whether it’s a young player or free agent.
We will never forget what’s his name.
@LGM. It’s very possible that Anderson will be available. He’s like the opposite no defense and maybe he can hit. Still worth a flyer. He’s playing all over diamond or atleast trying it.
Madrigal and Alzolay simply moved from CHC’s IL to NYM’s IL.
Wasn’t the Mets organization giving Luisangel Acuna reps in center field last year? I wonder if the Mets would give thought to giving him some PT there, and he could then be available as the backup shortstop should something happen to Lindor. Acuna seems to have a lot more upside than either Jose Siri or Tyrone Taylor as an everyday player (though Taylor was excellent as fourth outfielder last year).
Why would they give him reps there when they have two center fielders and 6 outfielders on the roster? They need infielders and Acuna is an infielder.
Why do people think a guy with an OPS of .639 in 754 PA in the Mets’ upper minors has much in the way of upside? Is he still in the Mets top 10? Last I checked he was #12.
Death, taxes, and a long-term injury for Nick Madrigal.
I have the perfect song to cover the first and last part of your idiom:
My Madrigal by Patti Smith: youtube.com/watch?v=d5d6IzqieoU
I think everyone saw this coming as soon as it was announced he was injured.
Feel sorry for him as he was a good prospect and was out for a while as a rookie and was even traded while he was on the DL. Seemed like he really didn’t get a shot to be a starter due to injuries. Hopefully he can recover and at least be a serviceable backup in 2026.
Bummer but what a throw he’ll always have that to remember his time in ny
Madrigal is the baseball equivalent of a watch dog that rarely barks. Pretty useless.
Meh, the Mets will find someone on the waiver wire as teams start cutting players
Replacement Level.
Typical mets
A month before opening day
3 major injuries alredy
Yaaawwnnnnn…..you’re boring
100%. Boring commenter with the name of the most boring character from the most boring show making the most boring comments to show you his pizzazz.
Coolest autograph in sports. I remember one of his Homers. He looked surprised and the dugout absolutely erupted. I was always a Nicky fan. Could be the end of a career. Hope he invested wisely on that 6 million rookie signing bonus. Godspeed Nick.
It’s okay guys they still have Clay Holmes.
Actual headline on SI.com this week … “Mets Relying on Last Season’s Blown Saves Leader to Save Banged-Up Starting Rotation”.
Actual comment from ChuckyNJ on every Mets post … “Mets bad”
Maybe don’t throw stones when your glass house has an injured Schmidt, Gil, Brubaker, Loaisiga Cousins, Beeter, Effross and how many TJs in the minors??
Not to mention the injuries to the lineup which was already as deep as single ply TP
Yeah and now look at the depth behind those injuries. Huge difference between Cole, Fried, Rodon, and Stroman compared to Clay Holmes, Megill, and Kodai Senga. Let’s not even compare bullpens because the difference there is embarrassing as well. Don’t throw stones in a glass house? The Mets don’t have a house to even throw stones from who’s going to prevent runs for them? Beeter and Efross lmao as if the Yankees were leaning on those names. Meanwhile the Mets were leaning on Frankie Montas to be the #2 oh how rich.
Seems like a small loss for the Cubs….the guy is NOT an impact hitter….more like just a warm body.
Don’t they also have Jared Young? I don’t know if he has options. He can play 3B but not SS to my knowledge.
Young has all of 9 innings at SS—back in 2017.
1B, 2B, 3B, LF, and enough RF to suggest he can handle himself there without embarrassment.
He’s on a split contract. I think he can be sent down without issue. In any case he has 2 options.