The Mets announced that they’ve placed right-handers Marcus Stroman and Robert Gsellman on the injured list. Stroman, who was said to be experiencing tightness in his calf earlier today, has been now diagnosed with a tear of some extent in that ailing calf muscles. Gsellman is experiencing some discomfort in his right triceps.
The IL placement for Stroman and the announced muscle tear are more ominous than this afternoon’s report of mere tightness in his calf. It should be noted that even a Grade 1 strain indicates some stretching or minor tearing, so it’s still possible that his absence won’t be substantial. Manager Luis Rojas tells reporters that Stroman will not require surgery (Twitter link via Anthony DiComo of MLB.com), but the skipper also referred to Stroman’s injury as a “week to week” situation, which isn’t a great outlook in a season that’ll barely span nine weeks from start to finish.
The loss of Stroman is a brutal hit for the Mets, who were already without right-hander Noah Syndergaard for the entire season due to Tommy John surgery. Two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom will still head up the team’s rotation, but he’ll now be followed by Steven Matz, Rick Porcello, Michael Wacha and a to-be-determined fifth starter. Non-roster veteran Erasmo Ramirez could be one option, and 2017 first-round pick David Peterson is also in the Mets’ player pool. Right-hander Walker Lockett was placed on the IL this week with a back injury.
On a personal level for Stroman, the injury is about as poorly timed as possible. Already facing a shortened platform season prior to his first foray into free agency this winter, missing multiple weeks could give Stroman fewer than 10 starts to demonstrate his health and effectiveness for interested clubs. Given the potential for teams to be stingier than usual on mid-range free agents following this year’s revenue losses, the calf issue could prove particularly costly for Stroman, who posted a 3.22 ERA with better than a strikeout per inning in 184 1/3 frames last year.
As for Gsellman, it seems there’s lesser concern. DiComo tweets that his IL stint is expected to be back-dated the maximum three days, and a return to the bullpen in early August doesn’t appear to be out of the question. In two years since converting to full-time relief role, the now-27-year-old Gsellman has a 4.45 ERA with 8.1 K/9 against 3.2 BB/9 in 143 2/3 innings.
Ah, the Mets…they’re in mid-season form already!
Lol
Clever lol
Alex and J-Lo will fix this when they become the owners of the Mets. They’ll clean out the front office and the Managers and coaches and put their people in charge
He should’ve added a sidestep option on that new SUV.
The Mets thankfully changed their identity.. they are a offensive team… they won’t win a WS but I still couldn’t count them off to make the playoffs. If Diaz and familia come back to form and Betances is what he was or close to it they have a shot. Many teams have made the playoffs with elite offense good bullpen and bad sp. Rn tho I have the Braves ahead after Syndergaard got hurt.. and when stroman got hurt I’d put the Nats ahead of them. If the two where healthy I’d put Mets first. That’s just my IMO.
60 games.Anything can happen. Full season I have Braves all the way. 60 games? I wouldn’t count out the Marlins.
healthy Mets arent better then the Braves. not that the Mets are bad, the Braves are just that good
Maybe, maybe not. They are close. (If the Mets bullpen rebounds) but Mets could beat them ins a full season just like the Phillies and nats could
Agreed MetsFan. Mets and Phillies are closer than last year showed. And the fact that the Mets have all these extra starting pitchers is really paying off. They’re still in it.
I doubt a defense that inefficient has ever made the playoffs.
That defense will improve just by having more experienced outfielders.
Wait till next year!!!!!
and this is why i cant have faith in the Mets
Because your outspoken starter who takes meticulous care of his health gets injured?
Or the lack of real depth?
Or the Mets pile up injuries. Has nothing to do with this thin-skinned pitcher.
When the Yankees piled up injuries last year, they just plugged the holes and kept on winning. When the Mets lose a key player, they hit the skids. This is why depth is important.
Yeah the amazing Yankees have won a whopping 1 world series in the last 20 years. Half the teams in baseball can say the same thing.
You do realize Stro has been injured more than he has been healthy in his short career LOL to “meticulois care of his health” he is only METICULOUS about his twitter account
Highly competitive division….Joe Girardi could impact more than most managers do….Mets are well, waiting for JayLo….
Give Lugo a rotation spot. If his arm is stretched out, I’d rather have him over anyone from the minors.
He wants one, but I’d argue he’s the most valuable bullpen piece.
He’s a very important bullpen piece for sure. But I say desperate times call for desperate measures. Put him in the rotation until Stroh is ready. Better than having a washed up sub 500 veteran or a nervous unproven rookie. Let the bullpen work itself out. The season is too short to have the back end of the rotation racking up early losses over & over.
Wonder when he hurt it and how?
I’m always amazed when professional athletes, especially those who have had months to prepare, end up with muscle strains in their legs.
Why did the Mets not want Girardi? I feel like most of there choices are not the best. They could of had DJ instead of Lawrie. Otto instead of Familia. They are at least 2-3 years away. Why not trade DeGrom for top prospects. If the Yankees can get Torres for a half year of Chapman. The skies the limit what they could get for DeGrom.
The time to trade deGrom was the July deadline in 2018. They would have received a boatload from someone like the Dodgers.
They can’t trade DeGrom when they’re a win-now team. 2-3 years away is a bit silly. The Braves are the team to beat in the NL East, but Nats, Mets and Phils are right there.
The Braves have the most talent in the division by a wide margin. Organizational depth matters.
mlbnyyfan
Simply because BVM is the GM and a complete idiot and he did not want Girardi around; a 10 watt light bulb like BVM doesn’t want to be out shined by a 150 watt light bulb.
Just look at this team falling apart before it gets started.
Diaz rebound LOL! He had to be removed after 1/3 inning after falling apart on the mound.
Mets are last in the division if not for the Marlins and that may be close.
Think about this: When Betts’ contract with the Dodgers ends after the 2032 season, the Mets will still owe Bobby Bonilla three more July paydays.
LMAO!!!! So very true
mlbnyyfan, They will also still be paying Bonilla after Mel Hall is eligible for parole in 2031.
Mel Hall is in the clink?
Must be baseball season and I’d guess the Mets would be dumb enough to go with Ramirez or Oswalt over Peterson or Brodie gets fleeced in a trade mlbtraderumors.com/2020/07/mets-marcus-stroman-tor…
David,
Great point, can anyone tell me why gopher ball Oswalt is still on this team?
I hope the Mets get sold quick and I hope Brodie gets dumped! :)
Trim
You don’t have to pay Stroman, that is enough and the rest is icing on the cake!
Jays still didn’t get enough for Stroman! Anything Kay and SRW? Not good enough.
#fireShatkins #hireReaper
Aren’t we all “week to week” or “day to day?” I know I am ⚾️