Latest news with #DavidStearns
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets reliever Brooks Raley takes massive step from injury return
The post Mets reliever Brooks Raley takes massive step from injury return appeared first on ClutchPoints. Before this step, Raley faced live hitters in a simulated setting. Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns confirmed that game action would follow shortly, and now here it is. The plan remains cautious. There's no need to rush a 37-year-old arm back too soon, but if everything goes smoothly, the 30-day rehab window sets him up for a mid-summer comeback. Advertisement The timing couldn't be better. The Mets are currently short on left-handed relief options. With A.J. Minter and Danny Young both out for 60 days and José Castillo the lone active southpaw in the pen, Raley's return fills a critical need. Not only does he bring a reliable arm, but he also adds postseason experience and clubhouse leadership to a team trying to stay afloat in a competitive National League East. When healthy, Brooks Raley is one of the Mets' most dependable relievers. In 2023, he posted a 2.80 ERA across 66 appearances. Earlier last season, before his injury, he didn't allow a single run in eight games. Those numbers underscore how important his presence is for a bullpen that has struggled to maintain consistency and depth. Beyond the stat line, Raley's comeback could impact the Mets' trade deadline strategy. If he returns at full strength, the team may shift its bullpen priorities. Rather than hunting for left-handed relief, the Mets could focus on other areas of need. His recovery from the Tommy John surgery could also influence how the front office evaluates playoff readiness. In all, Brooks Raley's return to live action marks a turning point. It's a welcome sight for a Mets squad desperate for stability in late innings. If his rehab continues without setbacks, the veteran could be back on a major league mound before the All-Star break, just in time to help shape the Mets' second-half push. Related: Key 1969 'Miracle Mets' pitcher passes away at 87 Related: Mets' Carlos Mendoza reveals date for Mark Vientos rehab stint
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB insider says Mets will look for upgrades in 2 specific areas ahead of deadline
Jul 30, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns speaks to the media about the MLB trade deadline before a game against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Jul 30, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns speaks to the media about the MLB trade deadline before a game against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images For a team battered by inconsistency in recent seasons, the New York Mets finally seemed to have found their backbone. Their pitching staff—surprisingly, spectacularly—has become their shield, their identity, their spark. Advertisement But even the strongest foundations crack under pressure, and now, with a string of injuries, the Mets are staring down a familiar problem. Like a luxury car with a sputtering engine, the Mets' rotation looks brilliant on the surface, but something under the hood needs fixing fast. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Mets own best ERA in baseball, but cracks are starting to show Entering Thursday, the Mets led all of Major League Baseball with a pristine 3.02 ERA. That stat isn't an illusion—New York has been dominant on the mound. Their starting rotation owns a 2.99 ERA, tops in the league, while their bullpen boasts a 3.07 mark, good for third overall. Advertisement That kind of run prevention is the envy of the league. But numbers don't always tell the full story. New York's ace Kodai Senga and key arm Tylor Megill are now both sidelined for at least a month—and that's the optimistic timeline. Jon Heyman hints at trade deadline pitching upgrades The Mets, unsurprisingly, are now preparing to act. According to insider Jon Heyman, the front office plans to explore the starting pitching market and could also target bullpen help—especially from the left side. 'Heyman: Mets expected to look at SPs ahead of trade deadline. Will also look for bullpen help with interest in lefty,' Underdog MLB posted to X. This pivot toward acquiring arms makes complete sense. Injuries have thinned the rotation, while the bullpen recently lost both Danny Young and A.J. Minter. That's the type of attrition that even elite ERA numbers can't mask forever. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Rotation options: elite names available, but not all are attainable Heyman named two intriguing starters that might be on the move: Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara and Brewers standout Freddy Peralta. Advertisement Both pitchers bring ace-level upside and multi-year control, but it will take a hefty return package to land them, particularly Peralta, who might not be moved at all. As for Chris Sale and Paul Skenes? Forget it. Their teams have made it crystal clear—they're not for sale, no matter the offer. That narrows the pool considerably. And with the Mets being mindful of their long-term plans, they'll be cautious about trading away blue-chip prospects. But with the rotation hanging by a thread and Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas struggling in rehab stints, help has to come from somewhere. Bullpen needs a boost as key arms drop While the Mets bullpen has held firm statistically, losing two left-handed relievers creates a new headache. A dependable southpaw could bring vital balance to a group that's already logging a heavy workload. Advertisement Teams rarely give away relievers who can shift a playoff race, but smart, low-key moves can pay big dividends. Last year's contending clubs found gems at the deadline; the Mets might need to do the same. Smart aggression is key as Mets balance future with present The good news is that the Mets aren't panicking. They have no intention of mortgaging their top prospects for a quick fix, but they also recognize the urgency. You don't find yourself with the best ERA in baseball by accident—and wasting that window would be a painful mistake. It's a delicate balancing act. The front office, led by president of baseball operations David Stearns, must protect its core while giving this team a chance to ride its elite pitching into October. Advertisement With a few smart, timely additions, that dream could become reality. Popular reading: Mets place bullpen contributor on injured list with elbow strain Related Headlines
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
1 trade New York Mets must avoid making before 2025 deadline
The post 1 trade New York Mets must avoid making before 2025 deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Mets enter Wednesday's game against the Washington Nationals at 43-24. Carlos Mendoza's team has begun to distance themselves from the Philadelphia Phillies atop the National League East. After battling with the Phillies in dramatic series so far this season, the Mets have established themselves as the team to beat. Despite that, fans expect general manager David Stearns to be aggressive at the trade deadline. New York feels they are one big move away from a World Series title. Advertisement While it has been a strength of the team since the beginning of the season, New York has kicked the tires on a few starting pitchers around the league. With Frankie Montas inching closer to his Mets debut from the injured list, Mendoza's rotation goes four strong. Kodai Senga has led the way with a 1.59 ERA, putting him squarely in the conversation for the NL Cy Young Award. However, the playoff experience of the Mets' rotation is a point of concern, especially after their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. New York might be the team with the most motivation to make a big deal at the deadline. They might have to outbid other contenders for players around Major League Baseball, but Stearns is under pressure to do something. After giving Juan Soto such a big contract, the Mets want to ride the momentum they have built deep into the postseason. However, there are a few players that New York should stay away from on the trade market. One of the starting pitchers that the Mets should avoid trading for is Shane McClanahan. Why shouldn't the Mets trade for Shane McClanahan? The last time Shane McClanahan was healthy, he went 11-2 in 2023 with a 3.29 ERA. The two-time All-Star was one of the best pitchers in the league in his first three seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. However, Tommy John surgery in August of 2023 combined with nerve irritation in his left triceps are big red flags. McClanahan's recovery brings a lot of unknowns to whatever team he is on when he finally makes his return in late July or early August. Advertisement McClanahan's numbers are excellent, but he faces a big question when he comes back. Can he recapture his brilliance from before his injury? Or has he missed so much time that he will never be the same? The mystery around him also makes evaluating his value near impossible. The Rays could decide to try and sell high on a pitcher who was dominant the last time he was on the mound. The Mets and other teams around the league need to be cautious when deciding just how much they could give up for the 28-year-old. If he were to join New York at the deadline, fans would wait in excitement for his return. A healthy McClanahan gives the Mets a stellar one-two punch at the top of their rotation alongside Senga. The Mets' offense is potent enough to keep them in any game. However, playoff series are often decided by which teams perform better on the mound. McClanahan gives Mendoza another capable starter who can come in and contribute in the postseason. If he can return to his former glory, he can carry the team to a big-time win. Who should the Mets target at the trade deadline? While a healthy McClanahan would be a great addition for the Mets. However, Stearns could decide that he doesn't want to trade for a pitcher. One of the other areas of concern on New York's roster is in center field. Jose Siri is on the Mets' injured list and Tyrone Taylor is filling in. There are outfielders around the league that teams expect will be available. Two of the names in that group are Cedanne Rafaela and Austin Hays. Advertisement Rafaela had one of the biggest hits of the season so far for the Boston Red Sox. However, the meteoric rise of Roman Anthony has him as a second string outfielder on Alex Cora's depth chart. The 24-year-old has played well in 2025, but a lack of opportunity could have the Red Sox looking to make the most of his good start and sell high. The Mets are one team that could benefit from his youth. They would benefit from his offensive pop without expecting too much out of him in their order. Hays, on the other hand, is on the Reds' IL with a foot injury. The 29-year-old was a staple with the Baltimore Orioles and has a lot of experience for his age. One of the most alluring things about him is his price tag. The Reds and Terry Francona want to give more at-bats to Will Benson. However, Hays would stand in the way when he returns. Moving him to a team where he would play more could be a rare win-win trade at the deadline. The Mets have an opportunity to challenge the Dodgers at the top of the NL this season. The trio of Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso lead a lethal offense. Senga and the rest of Mendoza's pitching staff have dominated. At the end of the day, though, New York is still more than 90 games away from the playoffs. How they make out at the trade deadline could go a long way in determining just how far Mendoza's team can go. However, McClanahan is too big of a risk for a contender like New York to make, even if the Rays shop him around at a lower price. Related: Young Mets fan snags Juan Soto homer vs. Nationals Related: Jeff McNeil sends Mets fans into frenzy with instant walk-off vs. Nationals
New York Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The Mets have a different plan for Kodai Senga's rehab this time
NEW YORK — Kodai Senga's hamstring strain is Grade 1, the least severe, meaning the right-hander will be shut down for about the next two weeks before being re-evaluated and ramped up to return. This places Senga's timeline to be back in the Mets' rotation in the second half of July. 'I feel like it's relatively good news,' manager Carlos Mendoza said. Advertisement The important step now for Senga and the Mets is to ace this recovery process, in a way they didn't with either of Senga's rehabilitations last year. In both instances, it appeared he and the Mets were not on the same page at times. Questions about Senga's next steps or his ultimate timeline were met with shrugs more often than with other players. It's important that the Mets and Senga learn from whatever disconnect existed then and apply those lessons to make this recovery process smoother all around. 'I wouldn't say we weren't on the same page. It was a tricky injury with a few setbacks,' Mendoza said. 'Now that we've gone through it with Senga, I'm pretty confident (in) the communication and the feedback with him. We'll continue to listen to him.' Indeed, going through the experience last season should help this time around. 'A lot of players, but particularly Senga, want to be involved in the process,' president of baseball operations David Stearns said. 'It's important that we get on the same page from the jump and that we're all bought into what this process is going to look like. 'I think we got there last year, but anytime you're going through this multiple times, I certainly know Senga a lot better now than I did last year. Our medical staff has worked through a rehab progression and rehab process with him already on multiple occasions. We feel pretty comfortable that whatever this turns out to be, we're going to be able to work very productively with him to get him back healthy.' That means the Mets being more forthright with their expectations for Senga. Typically, New York looks at a rehab in smaller increments, leaving room for improvisation as the player's health dictates. Taking that approach with Senga, who likes doing things his way, did not provide enough structure, with one team source describing the pitcher on rehab 'like a hot-air balloon in a hurricane.' Advertisement The Mets are fortunate that almost no team in baseball is better equipped to handle the absence of their best starter. New York dealt with losing Senga a year ago, its rotation has been lights out all season, it already has an established major-league starter to step into Senga's rotation spot in Paul Blackburn and it has reinforcements on the way in Frankie Montas (by the end of the month) and Sean Manaea (in July). It doesn't hurt, either, that the team is in first place in the National League East. Nevertheless, making the rehab process smooth for Senga is vitally important to the Mets' end goals. No pitcher on their staff has a higher ceiling than the 32-year-old, who appeared on Cy Young ballots in his rookie season in 2023 and was on pace for his second All-Star nod this season — the kind of pitcher they wanted to throw Game 1 even when he wasn't all the way back in 2024. Looking back on last year's postseason, perhaps the only hypothetical that haunts the Mets is what a fully healthy Senga could have meant for them, especially in their NLCS against the Dodgers. With the rest of the rotation flagging, Senga was rocked in his abbreviated start in Game 1 and pitched only in a mop-up role in the season-ending Game 6. A healthy Senga would have meant two better starts in the series, more aggressive usage of David Peterson out of the bullpen and a better chance of a pennant. This season, the Mets have been clearer in communicating their expectations for Senga. They did it in spring training, lining him up to start the fifth game of the season to better prepare him for the regular season's workload. And Senga has performed exceptionally well, leading Major League Baseball with a 1.47 ERA over 13 starts. Furthermore, new assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel has been especially beneficial for Senga. The two have developed a strong relationship, with Druschel helping prevent Senga from throwing too much. 'He's very meticulous with what he does with his rehab and his mechanics and his throwing program,' Mendoza said. 'I feel like we're in a good place, and I'm not anticipating any issues here.'
New York Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Frankie Montas' big-league role in doubt after another rough rehab start
NEW YORK — After another poor rehab start on Friday night, there's a chance that Frankie Montas' return to the New York Mets happens as a reliever. Starting for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Montas was lit up by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Montas allowed eight runs on seven hits and a walk while recording only five outs. In a seven-run second inning, Montas gave up a home run, three doubles and two singles. Advertisement The goal had been for Montas to pitch into the fifth inning. Instead, it was his second straight rehab start where he's gone backwards in innings. Friday's start only furthered concerns about Montas' performance during this rehab stint. He entered the night having allowed 12 earned runs in 12 innings across four starts. His rehab ERA is now 13.17 — barely lower than the Mets' five big-league starters combined, entering Friday (13.89). Montas has allowed 32 baserunners in 13 2/3 innings. Earlier in the day, president of baseball operations David Stearns said Montas would 'likely' need one more rehab start after Friday's. It's safe to say that additional start is required. 'This is kind of like spring training for him. Hitters now are in midseason form,' manager Carlos Mendoza said on Wednesday. 'It's hard to put too much into it when you're not game planning, you're just going out there, which, I think, we got to do a better job of that, of preparing him and giving him a little bit of an idea just on mechanics. But as far as results, we are not too concerned right now.' The Mets have been working with Montas on a tweak to his delivery — a relatively minor one with how he rotates his body that they believe will fix most of what's hindered him during his rehab assignment. But that obviously hasn't happened yet, and the clock is literally ticking for Montas. His 30-day rehab clock runs out on June 22, after which he must either be placed on the major-league roster or consent to be taken off his rehab because of a physical setback. If the Mets aren't confident that Montas represents an upgrade in the back end of their rotation — most likely over Paul Blackburn, who's filling in now for Kodai Senga — they could opt to use Montas out of the bullpen as a longman. That's the role Blackburn has been in over the past 10 days. New York's rotation entered Friday leading all of baseball with a 2.79 ERA.
