AJ Minter was activated from the injured list on May 26 after spending more than a year sidelined with a left lat injury that required surgery.
Since rejoining the New York Mets, the veteran left-hander has quickly become one of the bullpen’s most dependable arms.
Across nine appearances following his return, Minter has yet to allow an earned run, surrendering only four hits while recording seven strikeouts and issuing just one walk over eight innings.
Minter Making an Immediate Impact
The Mets expected Minter to strengthen their relief corps when they signed him to a two-year, $22 million contract following the 2024 season.
Before his injury shortened his first year with the club, he showed plenty of promise, posting a 1.64 ERA and striking out 14 batters across 11 innings in 13 appearances.
Unfortunately, his season was cut short by the lat injury that kept him out for more than a year.
Injuries Have Limited His Mets Career
Despite now being in his second season with New York, Minter has appeared in only 22 games for the organization due to injury setbacks.
The lack of playing time has overshadowed how effective he has been whenever healthy. Combined with the team’s recent struggles, his strong performances have often gone unnoticed.
Trade Deadline Could Bring Tough Decisions
Minter’s resurgence could make him an intriguing trade candidate if the Mets decide to move players ahead of the deadline.
His effectiveness from the left side gives him value for contenders seeking bullpen help, and team president David Stearns will soon have to determine whether New York plans to buy or sell.
If the Mets choose to move veterans, Minter could attract meaningful interest around the league.
Can He Sustain His Success?
Questions remain about whether Minter can maintain this level of performance over a larger sample size, particularly after his injury history and a slight decline in velocity.
Still, his recent results have been encouraging.
Whether he helps fuel a postseason push or becomes a valuable trade asset, Minter has proven to be an important contributor whenever he has been available, giving the Mets a valuable option as they navigate the remainder of the season.
