The Mets are amid two different streaks. The blue and orange have won 17 out of their last 23 games to climb back to .500 (39-39) and, due to a mediocre National League, find themselves just 1.5 games out of the final wild-card spot.
While that streak is quite positive, the Mets are undergoing an unfortunate injury streak.
Within the last week, the blue and orange have lost Sean Reid-Foley to right shoulder impingement, and Grant Hartwig has undergone knee surgery. Starling Marte went on the 10-day injured list with a right knee bone bruise.
Now, a high-leverage reliever is heading to the 15-day injured list.
Drew Smith is heading to the 15-day injured list
![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] June 9, 2024; London, UNITED KINGDOM; New York Mets players Drew Smith, Luis Torrens and Francisco Lindor celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies during a London Series baseball game at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Childs/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MLB-London-Series-Philadelphia-Phillies-vs-New-York-Mets-23509796.jpg?resize=539,390)
According to a post from the organization on X, the Mets have placed Drew Smith on the 15-day injured list retroactive to June 24 with a right elbow sprain.
Smith felt tightness in his forearm while playing catch on Wednesday, so the Mets decided to have the 30-year-old undergo testing.
“He just had a hard time getting warm,’’ Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “[Tuesday and Wednesday] he just had some tightness there. He doesn’t sound too concerned, but he still feels something there and we want to make sure we’re not missing anything to put him at risk.”
Mets bullpen takes another hit as Drew Smith put on 15-day IL (nypost.com)
Smith has pitched 17.2 innings across 19 appearances to a 3.06 ERA with a 1.528 WHIP and 23 strikeouts while registering two saves.
Who is taking Smith’s spot on the Mets’ roster?
Ty Adcock is taking Smith’s spot in the bullpen. Adcock has pitched at the Triple-A level for three different organizations this season and has struggled at each stop.
The 27-year-old has pitched 17 innings across 17 appearances to a 5.82 ERA with a 1.941 WHIP and 20 strikeouts. Adcock had a successful albeit limited stint in the major leagues with the Seattle Mariners last season, pitching 15.2 innings across 12 appearances to a 3.45 ERA with a 0.702 WHIP and 11 strikeouts.
Time will tell how Adcock performs at the major league level once again, but the Mets bullpen, which once felt filled to the brim with quality arms, is beginning to feel a bit lackluster.