Mets A.J. Minter eyes healthy 2026 after frustrating season-ending lat injury

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.The Mets will be without A.J.

Minter for the rest of this season and perhaps into next year, with the left-hander set for surgery to repair a torn lat.Minter, speaking for the first time Friday since making the decision to undergo surgery next week, said the procedure comes with a 10-12 month rehab process.If all goes well, Minter said he could have a “normal-ish” spring training and then not be far off when the regular season begins.But he also noted the surgery — necessary because he tore the lat off the bone on April 26 against the Nationals — is rare, so there’s not much information to go off of.The 31-year-old signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets in the offseason that contains an opt-out after this year.Minter’s season ended with Atlanta last year with hip surgery in August.He called the injury “super frustrating.”“I was starting to feel so good,’’ said Minter, who hadn’t given up a run in his previous 12 appearances and struck out 13 batters in 10 innings during that stretch.“I wish I knew what caused it.”He pointed to an increase in velocity and added range of motion in his hip as possibilities, but Minter’s main focus, he said, is getting healthy for 2026.“I was excited to help this team,” Minter said.

“It’s a special team.I’ll help this team next year.”Minter’s injury, coupled with Danny Young’s Tommy John surgery, leaves the Mets with just one lefty in the pen, Genesis Cabrera.Mark Vientos sat for a second straight game, with Mendoza saying he wanted as many left-handed hitters in the lineup against Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon.Mendoza said Jeff McNeil would have started in center field if he hadn’t a hamstring cramp Wednesday.

So McNeil served as the DH, with fellow lefty hitter Brett Baty at third base for two consecutive games and Vientos on the benc...