A.J. Minter's Mets Comeback: A Late-Innings Weapon

0:00This is Cory with the story with New York Met's news today, powered by the Daily News Now. Subscribe for daily updates on your team. The New York Met signed 32-year-old left-handed reliever, AJ. Mentor to a two-year, $22 million deal before last season, hoping he'd anchor their late innings. He delivered early on with a 1.64-earn-run average over 11 innings in 13 outings, striking out 14. But everything changed on April 26th at Nationals Park when he tore his lap muscle completely off the bone, ending his year after surgery. The bullpen felt his absence hard, especially without reliable left the options after Danny Young's season ending Tommy John's surgery, too. Their relievers posted over a 4-earn-run average in the second half, cycling through guys like Genesis Cabrera and Dickie Love Lady with mixed. Results To pass the hole, they traded for Gregory Soto from Baltimore, though he struggled at 4.50 as a Met. Manager Carlos Mendoza called Mentor Elite for high-leveraged spots, stressing how his

1:03ability to handle varieties makes him a weapon. Fans recalled Noah's Cindergarde's similar injury on that same mound eight years back, amplifying the frustration as the staff faltered late. Earlier this week, Mentor threw his third live batting practice session in spring training, mixing all three pitches and hitting 93 miles per hour. He's wrapping up carefully, admitting velocity needs work, but feeling surprisingly strong already. With Brooks Rayley's set as the main lefty until Mentor returns, the Met's eye a healthier pen this year, counting on his comeback to stabilize those, crucial moments.