Robert Stock, a roster prospect for the New York Mets, will likely miss a significant amount of time after first experiencing shoulder pain earlier this week.
Stock informed reporters on Sunday, including Jon Heyman of the New York Post, that surgery was advised to treat his thoracic outlet syndrome. Arterial TOS, a rare type that affects right-handers, can result in finger gangrene or a feeling of coolness in the hand. Although a pitcher usually takes nine to ten months to recuperate, he stated that he might be back before the conclusion of the season.
After playing with the Boston Red Sox in 2025, Stock, 36, got a minor league contract with the Mets this summer. Before joining Team Israel before to the World Baseball Classic, he attended camp as a non-roster invitee.
Stock, a 2009 second-round selection, has 75.1 MLB innings under his belt and a 4.90 ERA. From 2022 to 2024, he alternated between the KBO, lower leagues, and independent leagues in Mexico and the United States rather than playing in the majors. In 2025, he had a 3.92 ERA over 85 innings with Triple-A Worcester and gave up three earned runs in 2.2 innings for the Red Sox.
This spring, stock made an impression in a small sample size. On February 26, he pitched three scoreless innings for the Mets, giving up only one hit while striking out six batters. He struck out three and produced eight whiffs in three more scoreless innings during Team Israel’s exhibition game against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. He complained of shoulder pain at the end of the outing.
The impact of arterial TOS on players is mostly unknown because it is significantly less common than other kinds that baseball fans have recently been aware with. Neurogenic TOS, a compression of the nerves, famously ended the career of former Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg, and venous TOS disabled current Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler late last year. Merrill Kelly and Alex Cobb are two instances of pitchers who have recovered from TOS at a high level. Some, however, never regain their effectiveness, speed, or leadership.
The Mets have plenty of bullpen depth to fill in for Stock, regardless of whether he takes the mound again this season. Relievers Bryan Hudson, Craig Kimbrel, Huascar Brazobán, Joey Gerber, Justin Hagenman, Carl Edwards Jr., and Nick Burdi are among those on the roster bubble; some may start the season with Triple-A Syracuse.
