New York Mets may finally be nearing an important bullpen upgrade as veteran reliever A.J. Minter continues his recovery from major surgery, and his eventual return could help the club move on from some underperforming arms that have weighed down the relief corps throughout the season.
Minter has not pitched for the Mets since April 2025 after undergoing lat surgery, but before a recent setback, his rehab assignment had been extremely encouraging. The experienced left-hander posted a 1.17 ERA without issuing a single walk, giving the organization confidence that he could soon provide a major boost to an already strong pitching staff.
Manager Carlos Mendoza had planned to test Minter in back-to-back appearances this week for the first time since surgery, an important milestone in his recovery process. However, those plans were temporarily paused after Minter experienced discomfort in his left hip, forcing the Mets to shut him down for several days. Team officials reportedly do not view the issue as serious, but the setback delays what many hoped would be an imminent return to the major league bullpen.
Even with the delay, Minter’s comeback remains significant for a Mets team whose pitching staff has largely carried the roster this season. New York ranks among the league’s better teams in both ERA and fielding independent pitching metrics, but cracks in the bullpen have continued to surface particularly from the left side.
The Mets recently attempted to ease roster pressure by moving on from Carl Edwards Jr., yet questions remain about bullpen depth and consistency. Veteran lefty Brooks Raley has been one of the club’s most dependable late-inning options, delivering another outstanding season with an ERA below 2.00 while handling difficult high-leverage situations.
By contrast, fellow left-handers Sean Manaea and David Peterson have struggled to produce steady results despite analytics suggesting they may improve over time. Their inconsistency has only increased the importance of Minter’s eventual return.
The veteran reliever brings more than just another healthy arm. Minter owns extensive late-game experience, including 36 career saves, and has consistently dominated left-handed hitters over the course of his career, holding them to a .219 batting average. His ability to handle pressure situations could immediately strengthen the back end of the Mets bullpen and reduce the workload on Raley.
Still, injuries remain a growing concern. Although the current hip issue is unrelated to the lat surgery that sidelined him for over a year, Minter’s recent health history is difficult to ignore. The veteran also dealt with a torn labrum in 2024, adding another layer of caution as the Mets monitor his recovery carefully.
Whenever Minter finally returns, the Mets hope he can stabilize the bullpen, raise the standard for late-inning reliability, and potentially push weaker-performing relievers out of meaningful roles as the team attempts to stay competitive in the National League race.
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