The New York Mets have made some roster moves due to injuries and personal reasons affecting their players. Right-hander Drew Smith has been placed on the 15-day injured list because of shoulder inflammation, as announced by Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. Additionally, outfielder Starling Marte has been put on the bereavement list. To fill these vacant spots on the 26-man roster, the Mets have called up infielder Mark Vientos and right-hander Dedniel Nunez.

Fortunately, Smith’s MRI results did not show any structural damage, raising hopes for his return to the bullpen after the minimum 15-day period. Smith has been a valuable contributor to the Mets’ relief pitching this season, boasting a solid 2.70 ERA over 10 innings and 10 appearances. However, despite his impressive ERA, there are some underlying concerns, particularly his high 14.9% walk rate. This rate has been steadily increasing, from eight percent in 2022 to 11.9% last season. Despite this, Smith has maintained a strong 24.1% hard-hit ball rate, which has helped offset some of the challenges he has faced.

One positive development for Smith this season has been the reintroduction of a cutter into his pitching repertoire, which has shown promising results. However, batters have been more successful against his primary pitch, the four-seamer. Smith’s most recent outing was during the Mets’ 5-1 loss to the Giants, where he allowed two runs in an inning of work.

These roster adjustments come at a critical time for the Mets as they navigate through the challenges of the season. The team will be closely monitoring Smith’s recovery progress and hoping for a swift return to full strength. In the meantime, Vientos and Nunez will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the Mets’ efforts on the field.