Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza introduced to reporters (together with Newsday’s Tim Healey) that right-hander Drew Smith has been positioned on the 15-day injured listing because of shoulder irritation. Outfielder Starling Marte has additionally been positioned on the bereavement listing, so New York has referred to as up each infielder Mark Vientos and right-hander Dedniel Nunez to fill the 2 open spots on the 26-man.
Since Smith’s MRI didn’t reveal any structural injury, the hope is that the righty could be again within the bullpen after simply the minimal 15 days. The Mets’ reduction corps has been a power for the workforce this season, and Smith has contributed to the trigger with a 2.70 ERA over 10 innings and 10 appearances. His most up-to-date sport was final Tuesday, when he allowed two runs in an inning of labor throughout New York’s 5-1 loss to the Giants.
The strong ERA hides some underlying issues in Smith’s efficiency, most notably a hefty 14.9% stroll price. Smith’s stroll price had already taken a sizeable bounce from eight p.c in 2022 (when he had a 3.33 ERA) to 11.9% final season, when Smith posted a 4.15 ERA over 56 1/3 frames. On the plus aspect, Smith has a wonderful 24.1% hard-hit ball price, serving to considerably mitigate the unhealthy luck of a .345 BABIP. Smith has reincorporated a cutter into his arsenal this 12 months with good outcomes, although batters are having extra success towards his main pitch, a four-seamer.