The New York Mets received yet another injury blow in what has been, so far, a season to forget, as they placed right-handed pitcher Robert Gsellman on the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib.
The 27-year-old swingman suffered the ailment on Tuesday while covering some mop-up innings in the Mets loss against the Baltimore Orioles. Initially, it was diagnosed as a left oblique injury, but the team ordered some tests and they revealed the fracture.
With the diagnosis, Gsellman can be effectively considered done for the remainder of the year, one that he finishes on a down note. His stats left a lot to be desired, as he had a 9.64 ERA in 14 innings.
When the New York Mets were in the middle of an injury crisis in the rotation, manager Luis Rojas made Gsellman a starter, but unlike relief ace-turned effective starter Seth Lugo, he didn’t quite have the same success.
The Mets’ nightmare season continues
The Mets are currently in fourth place in the National League East division, 5.5 games out of the first place occupied by the Atlanta Braves.
The Mets’ record is 19-24, but they are three games out of the last playoff spot, occupied by the Miami Marlins and the San Francisco Giants. There are more teams in the wild card mix, though, so the Queens’ club would need to make an impressive late push to earn a place in October baseball.
To replace Gsellman in the active roster, the Mets recalled another righty, Drew Smith, from their alternate training site.
Smith, therefore, will return to the bullpen before tonight’s tilt against the Orioles, one that the Mets need to win if they want to get closer to a playoff spot.
Smith has a 6.43 ERA and 7/2 K/BB ratio in seven innings out of the bullpen this season.