If it wasn’t already abundantly clear that the New York Mets need bullpen help before Major League Baseball’s Aug. 2 trade deadline, things are only about to intensify.
Right-handed reliever Drew Smith is expected to hit the injured list, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic on Thursday, due to an “unspecified arm issue.”
The 28-year-old has regressed mightily in 2022 from a reliable eighth-inning man for Buck Showalter to a liability. The home run ball had undone him at an alarming rate as he allowed four round-trippers in his last 9.1 innings of work.
Over his last eight appearances, he has an 8.68 ERA after posting a 1.99 ERA through his first 29 outings of the season.
It only exacerbates the need for general manager Billy Eppler to go out and get multiple reliable relievers. Edwin Diaz has been the only reliable and consistent arm out of the bullpen as he puts together a historic season from the closer’s role.
Adam Ottavino has performed well with a 2.35 ERA this season and Seth Lugo was vital in the Mets’ 3-2 victory over the Yankees on Wednesday night, but after them, the Mets are stretched for legitimate healthy options. Trevor May, who has been out for over two months, is rehabbing with Triple-A Syracuse and should be returning soon as a potential bridge option for Diaz.
When it comes to southpaw options, though, the Mets are hard-pressed for decent options. Joely Rodriguez has failed to run away with the opportunity to be the de facto lefty specialist out of the pen with a 5.93 ERA this season, meaning Eppler has to make multiple acquisitions to shore up New York’s stable of relievers.
