The New York Mets will begin the 2026 regular season on Thursday, May 26, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but a key reliever is doubtful for Opening Day following recent injury news.
Left-hander A.J. Minter told reporters, including Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, that he won’t be throwing his first live batting practice session until next week. The 32-year-old adds that he hopes to get into a game before the end of Spring Training. DiComo notes that Minter is about a month behind the rest of the Mets’ relievers.
Minter had left lat surgery in May. The procedure ended his 2025 campaign, but it was unclear whether he would be back in time to begin the new season. The recent update makes it extremely unlikely he’ll be with the club for the first game of the year.
New York Mets Roster Likely Missing A.J. Minter on Opening Day
Minter came to the Mets on a two-year, $22 million contract last offseason. He was excellent in 13 appearances with the club, posting a 1.64 ERA across 11 innings. Minter notched an 31.8% strikeout rate, though he did have an elevated 11.4% walk rate. The lefty picked up seven holds as a key member of the bullpen prior to his injury.
The Atlanta Braves drafted Minter out of Texas A&M in 2015. He zoomed through the minor league system, reaching the big leagues within two seasons. Minter immediately dazzled at the highest level, recording a 43.3% strikeout rate over his first 15 innings. The strong debut allowed the lefty to emerge as the team’s closer in 2018. He locked down 15 saves as a 24-year-old.
Injuries began to impact Minter’s time with Atlanta in 2019. He hit the IL early in the season with left shoulder inflammation. Minter made it back for 36 appearances, only to go down again in September with the same shoulder diagnosis. He stayed relatively healthy through the next few seasons. Health concerns popped up again in 2023, with Minter heading back to the IL due to shoulder inflammation. He missed a chunk of the 2024 campaign with a hip injury.
Who Steps in for Minter and Edwin Diaz on Opening Day?
The New York bullpen lost longtime closer Edwin Diaz this offseason. The right-hander landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a hefty three-year, $69 million deal. The Mets filled the void with a pair of free agent additions. The club handed Devin Williams a three-year, $51 million contract. New York followed that up by signing Luke Weaver to a two-year, $22 million pact. It’s the New York Yankees bullpen all over again.
Williams and Weaver will handle high-leverage situations, with the former likely picking up the majority of the saves. The impact of the Minter loss will be felt on the left side. The only southpaw with a firm roster spot is Brooks Raley. He delivered a 2.45 ERA across 30 games in 2025. Raley secured 10 holds last season.
The other left-handed bullpen job could go to Bryan Hudson. The Mets grabbed the veteran reliever in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. New York also has Nate Lavender, Matt Turner, Joe Jacques, and Anderson Severino in camp as non-roster invitees.
Mets Injured Reliever Provides Opening Day Update