A.J. Minter felt like I let the team down with his Mets injury and hes ready to change that
PORT ST.LUCIE — A.J.
Minter departed the mound at Nationals Park last April 26 knowing something was wrong, but also fairly certain he hadn’t injured himself too badly.Don’t miss Mike Puma’s text messages from Queens and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets.
Even after the adrenaline subsided in the clubhouse and the initial burst of pain kicked in, the Mets reliever was thinking in terms of when he might be returning to the mound.“I didn’t think it was going to be a season-ending injury,” Minter said this week.Minter had completely torn a lat muscle from the bone and needed surgery.His season was finished after only 13 appearances with his new team following his arrival on a two-year contract worth $22 million.And so, for a second straight spring training the veteran lefty is rehabbing.
Last year it was the labrum in his hip, following surgery in 2024 with the Braves.Minter, 32, has also undergone Tommy John and thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in his career.“But this by far has been the easiest rehab process,” Minter said.
“I’ve had it all, but this has been about getting the shoulder strong again.”Minter threw a third live batting practice session this spring Friday.He’s hopeful of maybe pitching in a Grapefruit League game before the Mets break camp, but regardless won’t pitch for the team for at least the season’s first month.It’s a potential May addition to which manager Carlos Mendoza can look forward after the team struggled to compensate for Minter’s absence last season.Brooks Raley, who returned at midseason following Tommy John surgery rehab, bolstered the lefty relief in the second half, but for two months the Mets shuffled a group that included Genesis Cabrera, Jose Castillo and Richard Lovelady before acquiring Gregory Soto from Baltimore before the trade deadline.
Soto pitched to underwhelming results and wasn’t re-signed.“Some of the guys that were there did their part,...