New York Mets reliever A.J. Minter leaves game with injury

Mets reliever A.J. Minter will "most likely" head to the injured list after leaving Saturday's game with trainers.

Apr 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Mets pitcher A.J. Minter (33) reacts during the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The back end of the New York Mets’ bullpen is facing concern for the second time this week.

With one out in the eighth inning of Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals, left-handed reliever A.J. Minter grimaced after delivering a 90 mph cutter to James Wood. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and the training staff approached Minter on the mound, and after a brief conversation, he was pulled from the game.

A.J. Minter leaves the game with the Mets' athletic trainer in the 8th inning pic.twitter.com/T57KqeHL4K

— SNY (@SNYtv) April 26, 2025

The Mets announced shortly afterward that Minter experienced tightness in his left triceps. Mendoza said that Minter is going for an MRI on Sunday and will "most likely" land on the injured list.

Carlos Mendoza says that A.J. Minter is going for an MRI tomorrow and his injury will "most likely" land him on the IL pic.twitter.com/1ecse0iY4l

— SNY (@SNYtv) April 27, 2025

Minter, 31, joined the Mets on a two-year, $22 million contract (which includes a player opt-out) in January, just a few months after undergoing season-ending hip surgery. He spent his previous eight seasons with the NL East rival Atlanta Braves, where he won a World Series and posted a 3.28 ERA with 36 saves over 384 appearances.

The left-hander entered Saturday’s outing with a 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts over his first 10.2 innings with his new team. It was Minter’s second appearance in as many days.

The Mets recently dealt with another injury scare in Wednesday’s series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies, when closer Edwin Díaz was removed in the 10th inning due to cramping in his left hip. Díaz returned to the mound Saturday and closed out a 2-0 victory with three strikeouts in the ninth.

Read More: Phillies manager appears to make accusation against Mets’ Edwin Díaz

If Minter does end up on the injured list, the Mets have a couple of options to replace him on the active roster. They could call up another reliever, such as Dedniel Núñez, or potentially add a sixth starter.