Sean Reid-Foley’s Mets rehab assignment stalls as struggles continue
The Mets don’t know what is going on with Sean Reid-Foley, who officially has been returned from his rehab assignment.
The righty reliever, who is making his way back from a right shoulder impingement that has sidelined him since June 19, had struggled in six minor league games in which he has walked eight in 4 ²/₃ innings.
Reid-Foley most recently pitched Tuesday with Triple-A Syracuse and allowed two hits, a walk and two runs in 1 ¹/₃ innings. Mendoza said Reid-Foley likely won’t throw in a game again “in the next few days.”
“One of those [situations] where he’s not sure if it’s mechanics or what, but the ball’s not coming out the way he would like it to,” Mendoza said before the Mets’ 9-1 skid-busting win over the A’s. “So we got to figure out what we’re dealing here with.”
Reid-Foley feels fine physically, Mendoza added, though his velocity has not fully returned. Reid-Foley, whose four-seamer averaged 94.9 mph in 23 games this season, was throwing 92-93 mph Tuesday, Mendoza said.
The Mets formally shut down his rehab assignment, which buys them more time. Pitchers are allowed 30 days to rehab before they must be activated, optioned or otherwise moved.
Reid-Foley, a 28-year-old who has been with the Mets since 2021, was having his best season before his shoulder bothered him.
In 23 games, he owns a 1.66 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 21 ²/₃ innings.
J.D. Martinez, who left Tuesday’s loss after a 99.6-mph fastball drilled his left elbow, was back in the lineup a day later and hit the ball hard repeatedly.
He went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk.
Mendoza said he originally did not anticipate Martinez being ready yet, but the DH told him that he was feeling well.
Martinez wore a new elbow pad during his at-bats.
Dedniel Nunez (right pronator strain) looked “really good” in his Tuesday bullpen session, Mendoza said, and was up to 94 mph.
The righty will throw another bullpen session or live batting practice Friday.
Top prospect Brandon Sproat was ejected from his second start with Triple-A Syracuse arguing a play at the plate.
Sproat allowed one run on two hits and two walks in three innings in which he struck out two.