Mets Pitcher Dedoniel Nuñez Faces New Injury Setback
It’s a tough break for Mets pitcher Dedoniel Nuñez, who finds himself once again dealing with injury woes. He has been placed on the injured list due to a right elbow sprain.
Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed concern, suggesting that the injury might necessitate significant intervention, possibly even Tommy John surgery. “As you know, I think so [Tommy John surgery] is on the table,” Mendoza mentioned cautiously.
Although the Mets have labeled it a sprain, both Mendoza and baseball operations president David Stearns have confirmed that Nuñez is facing a ligament injury in his elbow.
This isn’t the first time Nuñez has encountered such issues. He underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2021 after spraining a UCL in his right elbow.
Mendoza reflected on how disheartening this injury is, given Nuñez’s past struggles. “You feel for the kid, you genuinely do,” he said. “He was such an asset for us last year. You could see signs, the way he throws, that something wasn’t right.”
Nuñez had made a significant comeback after his initial surgery, having been picked by the Giants in the Rule 5 draft from the Mets’ roster in 2021, only to return to the Mets in November after a brief stint in San Francisco. Initially trained as a starter, his role shifted dramatically post-surgery.
Upon his return in 2022, he primarily took on the role of a reliever in the minor leagues, appearing in 66 games between 2022 and 2023.
His 2024 season began promisingly—he was selected for the 40-man roster and made his Major League debut on April 9. However, in July, he found himself on the injured list for 15 days due to a right forearm sprain. Luckily, he rebounded quickly, participating in 25 games with a notable 2.31 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.
Sadly, his luck didn’t last; in September, a flexor injury sidelined him once again. At that time, he received platelet-rich plasma injections, which were meant to avoid surgery.
This latest injury seems more serious, leaving his timeline for a return uncertain. Fans and teammates alike are undoubtedly hoping for the best for Nuñez, yet the road ahead looks challenging.
