WASHINGTON – AJ Minter felt a sense of tension on one or two pitches on his left triceps after leaving the mound in eight innings Saturday.
The Reliever is heading for an MRI exam and is likely to be on the injured list, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after a 2-0 victory over the Nationals.
Minter, who pitched 1.64 ERA in 13 appearances this season, is the team’s main left-handed relief option.
“I’m happy that it wasn’t my elbow,” Minter said. “But we’re probably looking for an IL stint. Hopefully, I can come back and fix this and continue to help the team.”
Among the possibilities of replacing Minter is Dedniel Núñez, who spent the first month of the season in Triple A Syracuse after a late start in spring training.
Danny Young, the Mets’ bullpen second left-hander, has recently supported the team.
Young hit three batters to hold the Nationals scoreless in six innings Saturday.
The arms to need a starting pitcher for the next home series, or at least potentially pitching behind the opener, are leaning against the journeyman within the organization.
Sources say 30-year-old left-handed Brandon Waddell is the main candidate to be inserted into the rotation for Wednesday’s game against the Diamondbacks at Citifield.
A sixth starter is needed as the Mets appear to keep Kodaisenga an extra rest during this 13-game stretch without a scheduled day off.
Waddell’s recent major league appearance appeared in the Cardinals in 2021. This season he pitched to 1.54 ERA in five Triple A Syracuse starts.
The Mets on a recent road trip used Justin Hagenman as their sixth “starter.”
Another potential candidate for Wednesday’s pitching assignment, Top Prospect Brandon Sprote, is to start off in Syracuse. The right-hander pitched to a 5.79 ERA on five outings, struggling with his latest start on Thursday. Team officials have shown no tendency to push Sprout into the major leagues.
Jeff McNeill started at center field for the third time in his career as Mendoza inserted Lusagel Acknya into the 2 base lineup.
McNeill, who started twice at center in 2023, reunited the position with a minor league rehabilitation assignment.
Mendoza said he prefers to keep Brandonnimo on the left field due to the knee discomfort that was a problem for him during spring training.
