Smith underwent Tommy John ligament construction surgery Friday, which included an internal brace procedure, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Per DiComo, the procedure was a "full-blown Tommy John ligament reconstruction," which means Smith will likely be sidelined for 12-to-18 months. With that in mind, the reliever -- who previously underwent Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2019 -- will likely miss at least half of next season and may not pitch again until 2026. He's slated to be a free agent in November.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Headed for surgery
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Smith will undergo surgery to repair a tear in his right UCL on Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Smith sought a second opinion and ultimately won't be able to avoid going under the knife after being diagnosed with a significant tear in his right UCL. However, it remains to be determined if he'll require Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure, which would likely result in a quicker recovery. Smith is scheduled to meet with Dr. Keith Meister on Thursday to determine a plan of attack for the procedure.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Shifts to 60-day IL
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The Mets transferred Smith (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.
The right-hander was diagnosed with a significant UCL tear in late June, so it's not a surprise he's been moved to the 60-day IL. Smith appears headed for Tommy John surgery but was expected to seek a second medical opinion before deciding his next steps.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Tommy John surgery likely
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Smith has been diagnosed with a significant UCL tear in his right elbow and is likely to undergo Tommy John surgery, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Smith is waiting on a second opinion before anything is decided, but it appears the writing is on the wall. It's a blow to the Mets and also poor timing for Smith, who is set to become a free agent this offseason. Given that it would be his second Tommy John surgery, Smith could be sidelined until 2026.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Lands on injured list
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The Mets placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right elbow sprain, retroactive to Monday.
Smith received an MRI after reporting tightness while playing catch earlier Wednesday. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but the Mets have already deemed the sprain worthy of a trip to the IL. Ty Adcock will come up from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the open spot in New York's bullpen.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Undergoing MRI on forearm
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Smith will undergo an MRI after feeling tightness in his right forearm while playing catch Wednesday, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.
Smith missed a chunk of time earlier this season with a shoulder problem and now has another arm issue to contend with. The righty has been a high-leverage reliever for the Mets this season when healthy, posting a 3.06 ERA and 23:9 K:BB over 17.2 frames.
Smith earned his second save Sunday, allowing one hit and one walk over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning against the Phillies.
Smith entered the game with two on and one out attempting to preserve a two-run lead after Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett had gotten seven outs between them beginning in the seventh inning. A base hit allowed an inherited runner to score, but Smith then benefitted from a great defensive play by Mets catcher Luis Torrens, who started a 2-3 double play to end the game. It was far from a clean outing for Smith, who was making just his second appearance since returning from an IL stint of more than a month due to shoulder inflammation. The right-hander will continue to hold a high-leverage spot in the Mets' bullpen and get occasional save chances while the team awaits the return to health and form of Edwin Diaz (shoulder).
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Mets' Drew Smith: Returns from injured list
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The Mets reinstated Smith (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.
The 30-year-old has been sidelined more than a month with shoulder inflammation but is ready to rejoin the Mets after a four-appearance rehab assignment. Smith's return will provide a boost to New York's high-leverage unit, which is missing Edwin Diaz due to a shoulder injury.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Restarts rehab assignment
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Smith (shoulder) resumed a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Sunday, tossing a scoreless inning, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Smith was close to being activated earlier this month before experiencing a setback. He's back on the comeback trail now, though, and is expected to return in about a week after making a couple more rehab appearances.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Return pushed back again
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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Smith won't be activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday after recently experiencing a "pinch" in his right shoulder, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
He will have his return pushed back a second time because the Mets need length from their bullpen and Smith isn't ready to provide that yet. Smith is still able to continue throwing in spite of the setback, so he may not be ruled out for a return from the IL for Thursday's series finale in Philadelphia or at some point this weekend.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Activation now expected Wednesday
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Smith (shoulder) is slated to be activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Smith is done with his rehab as he comes back from right shoulder inflammation. He had been slated to return Tuesday, but the Mets have elected to hold him back one more day. Smith has posted a 2.70 ERA and 11:7 K:BB over 10 relief innings this season.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Could be activated Tuesday
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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Smith (shoulder) could return from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Smith's minor-league rehab assignment is considered complete, so the Mets will merely need to decide which player will come off the 26-man active roster to create room for the right-handed reliever. Before hitting the shelf April 27 with shoulder inflammation, Smith logged three holds and one save over his 10 appearances out of the Mets bullpen while pitching to a 2.70 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 10 innings.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Set for another outing
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Smith (shoulder) is slated to make another appearance with Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
Smith started his rehab assignment with Syracuse on Wednesday, giving up a solo home run in an inning of relief while throwing 13 pitches. The right-hander is recovering from right shoulder inflammation that landed him on the 15-day IL on April 17.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Kicks off rehab assignment
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Smith (shoulder) began a rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Syracuse, giving up one run on one hit over an inning of relief.
Smith served up a solo home run but otherwise navigated a 13-pitch eighth inning without much difficulty. The right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list since April 27 with shoulder inflammation and could need another rehab appearance or two before rejoining the Mets bullpen.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Lands on IL
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The Mets placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right shoulder inflammation, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Smith allowed two runs in one inning during his last appearance Tuesday, and his shoulder will now keep him out for at least the next two weeks. Dedniel Nunez was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the vacancy in New York's bullpen.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Collects first save
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Smith struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday against Pittsburgh to collect his first save of the season.
Smith threw 10 of his 12 pitches for strikes during the final frame, striking out Rowdy Tellez and Henry Davis in the process. He now owns an impressive 1.08 ERA through 8.1 innings on the year, though he should not be relied on for saves with Edwin Diaz locked in as New York's primary closer.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Picks up win Friday
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Smith (1-0) collected the win Friday in a 3-2 victory over the Reds, giving up two hits and striking out one in a scoreless inning.
The right-hander entered a 1-1 tie with two outs and two on in the sixth inning and got Luke Maile to pop up, before running into trouble himself in the seventh and getting bailed out by Brooks Raley. Smith has made an appearance in four of the Mets' first seven games, posting a 4:2 K:BB over four innings without getting charged with an earned run, and he's picked up a win and a hold along the way. The 30-year-old hasn't recorded more than 14 holds in a season, but he could easily top that number in 2024 given his fairly high-leverage role for New York.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Locked into bullpen spot
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Smith has a 0.00 ERA and 5:1 K:BB through 4.2 Grapefruit League innings and will be part of the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
The 30-year-old right-hander has been a dependable arm for New York the last two seasons, posting a 3.78 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 113:44 K:BB over 102.1 innings with seven wins and 26 holds. Smith should be part of the middle-innings bridge to closer Edwin Diaz.
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Mets' Drew Smith: Set to earn $2.2 million in 2024
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Smith signed a one-year, $2.2 million contract with the Mets on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Smith saw his performance decline in 2023, though he notched a career-high 56.1 innings and 15 combined saves and holds. With Edwin Diaz getting a clean bill of health, Smith projects to occupy a setup role at best in 2024.
