The Mets’ starting rotation continues to take hits, with right-hander Tylor Megill the latest to go down with an injury that will keep him out for a considerable stretch.
Manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that Megill was placed on the 15-day injured list with an elbow sprain. He will miss at least a month, even though an MRI revealed no structural damage.
He will be shut down for seven to 10 days, and if symptoms subside, he will begin baseball activities.
“Considering all things elbow-related, I would say this is probably the best outcome that could happen from something like this,” Megill said.
The 29-year-old admitted that he felt some “pulling” in his right elbow during his start on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays, in which he allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits in just 3.2 innings of work.
He has been unable to shake his career trend of post-April struggles this season. After posting a 1.09 ERA in his first five starts of the year, Megill has pitched to a 5.56 ERA since.
Losing Megill further tests the Mets’ pitching depth; once one of the organization’s biggest strengths which now has become razor thin.
Sean Manaea is inching along in his rehab assignment from an oblique injury, while Frankie Montas continues to struggle in his minor-league outings as he comes back from a lat issue. Ace Kodai Senga will be out for at least a month after suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain on Thursday against the Washington Nationals.
It leaves the Mets with a rotation of David Peterson, Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, and Clay Holmes, with Friday’s starter in Philadelphia against the Phillies uncertain. Reliever Justin Garza was recalled from Triple-A to take Megill’s spot on the roster, and Brandon Waddell pitched on Tuesday for Syracuse, meaning he can’t toe the rubber come Friday.
Justin Hagenman and Blade Tidwell are the likely favorites to provide a spot start if necessary.
