During the NBA playoffs, there was a wave of Achilles injuries, and Mets pitcher Griffin Canning feels a personal connection to one of the players who has gone through surgeries in recent years.
This postseason saw high-profile injuries to stars like Damien Lillard, Jason Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton, with Canning commenting on the impact these injuries have on players. His own season was cut short during a game against the Braves.
“It’s really unfortunate. I wanted to be out there with the team, but baseball is my passion, and that makes it tough,” he reflected, adding he’s been following the injuries of various basketball players.
After joining the Mets from the Angels as a free agent, Canning ended the season with a record of 7-3 and a 3.77 ERA. He hasn’t yet reached out to Klay Thompson, but he feels that connection through his friend, Treise.
Thompson, a five-time NBA All-Star, missed significant playing time after tearing his Achilles in 2020 while recovering from an ACL injury.
Canning mentioned, “I’m pretty close to Treise, so we have mutual connections. I plan to reach out to Klay soon, but it’s early days still.”
At 29 years old, Canning has turned into a valuable asset for the Mets, especially after signing a one-year deal worth $4.25 million in the offseason.
“I felt good going into the game, I knew what I wanted to execute,” he shared. “It’s frustrating. I had a good feeling coming off the previous game in Philadelphia, but injuries are part of the game.”
He expressed his eagerness to contribute in any way possible, looking forward to being part of the team’s journey.
The Mets were set to continue with their minor league allocations, but struggles with injuries have left them without starting pitchers like Kodai Senga and Tyler Megill. Recently signed free agent Montas is also working back from an injury.
Canning mentioned his doctor provided a rough recovery timeline of around nine months. He described the surgery as manageable, saying the initial injury felt “like someone kicked me in the back of my leg.”
“The doctor said everything went well during the surgery. I was on crutches and in a boot,” Canning noted. “It’s tough being sidelined. I want to play and support my teammates as much as I can.”
He’s optimistic, adding that perhaps he can offer a fresh perspective to help improve team dynamics, noting his sessions with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and assistant Druschel.
