A.J. Minter gets removed from Mets rehab assignment over hip issue – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza delivered sobering news from Coors Field on Wednesday. Reliever A.J. Minter, a vital left-handed arm the team acquired to bolster late innings, experienced left hip discomfort following a minor-league outing. The issue forced the Mets to pull him from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse, indefinitely delaying what had become an imminent return to the major-league roster.[1][2]
Rehab Progress Comes to Sudden Halt
Minter reported the discomfort after pitching on May 3 against the Rochester Red Wings. He had appeared set to wrap up his rehabilitation stint, with activation eyed for this weekend’s series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Instead, the Mets opted for caution, shutting him down before his next scheduled appearance.[1]
His minor-league performances showed promise in results if not always in radar readings. Over eight or nine outings in April and early May, Minter logged about 7⅔ to 8⅔ innings, going 1-0 with a sharp 1.04 to 1.17 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP. Still, observers noted his fastball rarely topped out above 94 mph, often sitting in the low 90s – a dip from his peak velocity.[3][2]
Pattern of Setbacks for the Veteran Left-hander
Minter’s path to this moment traced back through multiple surgeries. In August 2024, he underwent labrum repair and microfracture procedures on the same left hip now flaring up. Less than a year later, on April 26, 2025, a left lat tear sidelined him for the remainder of that season after just 11 big-league innings with the Mets.[1]
The Mets signed the 32-year-old to a two-year, $22 million deal ahead of 2025, banking on his track record as one of baseball’s premier lefty relievers from seven seasons with the Atlanta Braves. There, he posted a 3.28 ERA and held opponents to a.602 OPS. Spring training 2026 featured a deliberate ramp-up, targeting a return by late April or early May.[1]
Manager Offers Cautious Optimism
Mendoza addressed the media amid a series against the Colorado Rockies. “We pulled him off the rehab today,” he said. “He has left hip discomfort. We’re not too concerned. We’ll probably give him a few days and then he’ll continue to throw.”[2]
The skipper acknowledged questions around Minter’s velocity. “I don’t know because there were days where we saw the velo at 92-93, and a couple at 94, but there were some at like 91,” Mendoza explained. “I’ll have to talk to him personally.” He added that Minter himself remained level-headed about the report.[1][2]
Bullpen Feels the Strain Without High-Leverage Leftie
The Mets’ relief corps has leaned on right-handers Huascar Brazobán and Luke Weaver for high-leverage work this season. Left-hander Brooks Raley has filled the primary southpaw role, appearing in 14 games, while starters Sean Manaea and David Peterson have stretched into relief duties. Veteran Craig Kimbrel has handled closing responsibilities.[2]
- Brooks Raley: Main lefty option, 14 appearances.
- Huascar Brazobán: 15 outings, including opener roles.
- Luke Weaver: 14 games, key setup man.
- Craig Kimbrel: Late-inning closer.
Minter’s arrival would have provided a trusted weapon against left-handed hitters. The shutdown resets his 30-day rehab clock, meaning the Mets could hold him in the minors longer once he resumes throwing. A few days of rest precede any reevaluation, with mid-May now the hopeful target if progress resumes smoothly.[3][1]
For a Mets team navigating a tight race, Minter’s prolonged absence underscores the fragility of pitching health. His next steps will determine whether this proves a minor detour or a deeper concern for a bullpen already tested early in the season.
