Report: Drew Smith Could Be Nearing Return From IL

According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, New York Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith could be nearing a return from the injured list.

Smith threw live batting practice at the team’s spring training facility in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday morning, as he works his way back from right shoulder soreness.

Smith hit the IL towards the end of spring training, which knocked him out of contention for the final spot in the Mets’ bullpen. The right-hander had a solid spring, allowing just one hit in three innings, while striking out three batters.

The Mets acquired Smith from the Tampa Bay Rays via trade back in 2017 in exchange for first baseman Lucas Duda. Smith came up in 2018 and showed promise featuring a fastball in the upper 90’s, and posting a 3.54 ERA in 28 innings.

Unfortunately, he would tear his UCL going into the 2019 season, which required Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire year. This kept him out until the 2020 season, where he returned to a COVID-shortened campaign, pitching to a 6.43 ERA in eight innings.

Now, with the Mets bullpen finding some stability early on, it is uncertain as to whose spot Smith would take on the big league roster — if any. At the moment, it appears he could be destined for the Mets’ alternate site in Brooklyn.

Regardless, the 27-year-old is a solid depth option in the Mets’ bullpen should someone struggle or go down with an injury. It would be fair to anticipate seeing Smith in the Mets’ ‘pen at some point this year — it’s just a matter of when he will be needed.

The post Report: Drew Smith Could Be Nearing Return From IL first appeared on Metsmerized Online.