The New York Mets received encouraging injury news ahead of their homestand against the Detroit Tigers, as left-handed reliever A.J. Minter is expected to resume his rehab assignment this weekend after throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
Minter has been recovering from lat surgery that prematurely ended his first season in New York. Before experiencing discomfort in his left hip during rehab, the veteran reliever had impressed at Triple-A Syracuse with a 2.25 ERA, four strikeouts, and a 0.78 WHIP across 7.2 innings.
Now appearing back on track, Minter could soon make his first major league appearance in over a year.
The Mets signed the 32-year-old to a two-year, $22 million contract in January 2025, and he initially looked dominant out of the bullpen, posting a 1.64 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 11 innings over 13 appearances.
His season came to an abrupt end after exiting a game against the Washington Nationals on April 26 with what was first believed to be triceps soreness before doctors later discovered a torn lat that required surgery.
New York could greatly benefit from Minter’s return, especially with limited left-handed bullpen depth. Brooks Raley is still working his way back after Tommy John surgery, while Sean Manaea has struggled heavily in a long-relief role, posting a 6.56 ERA in nine appearances.
