The return of a key member to the New York Mets’ bullpen is one step closer.
MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo originally reported on Wednesday that left-handed reliever A.J. Minter is anticipated to throw his first live batter’s count the following week. After having surgery on his left lat last season, which ended his debut season with the Mets, Minter is still recovering.
Before spring training ends, Minter hopes to throw in at least one Grapefruit League game, but there’s no guarantee as the lefty is now a month behind other New York relievers, according to DiComo.
Last offseason, Minter signed a $22 million, two-year deal with the Mets that included an opt-out after the 2025 campaign. With a 1.64 ERA in 13 outings and 14 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched, the 32-year-old got off to a strong start with the Amazins. But on April 26, the left-handed pitcher would leave his relief appearance against the Washington Nationals, first because of triceps pain.
Minter was placed on the 60-day disabled list on May 1 after the Mets confirmed three days later that he would need season-ending surgery to treat a left lat strain.
The Mets lacked a dependable left-handed reliever outside of Brooks Raley, so Minter’s absence from the bullpen was undoubtedly costly throughout the season. This was made worse by the fact that Raley’s own recovery from Tommy John surgery would prevent him from being activated off the 60-day IL until the beginning of the second half.
Gregory Soto, a fellow lefty reliever, was acquired by the Mets from the Baltimore Orioles before the trade deadline of the previous season, but his time in Flushing was unsatisfactory. With a 4.50 ERA, 26 strikeouts, and a 1.63 WHIP in 24 innings pitched, he was 1-3 in 25 games with the Mets.
This positive development in Minter’s rehabilitation suggests that the left-hander may make his eagerly awaited comeback to the Mets bullpen before the end of April.
Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, Tobias Myers, Luis Garcia, Huascar Brazobán, and Adbert Alzolay are the current locks for the Opening Day roster in New York’s bullpen. Joey Gerber, Alex Carrillo, and Craig Kimbrel are more possible choices.
Carrillo and Gerber had fleeting outings out of the Amazins’ bullpen in 2025, and Kimbrel signed a minor league contract with the Mets this winter.
