New York Mets right-handed reliever Drew Smith revealed to reporters on Friday that he is likely facing another Tommy John surgery, signaling a devastating blow to his 2024 season and potentially his tenure with the Mets as he approaches free agency.
Smith, 30 years old, was recently placed on the 15-day injured list after experiencing discomfort in his elbow. He first noticed the issue last Friday but attempted to pitch through it, hoping it would resolve on its own. However, the discomfort persisted, and circumstances worsened when fellow pitcher Edwin Diaz was ejected from a game on Sunday due to a sticky substance on his hand. Smith was unexpectedly called upon to pitch shortly after, but he doesn’t attribute his injury to the hurried warm-up: “I don’t think the warmup had anything to do with the outcome,” Smith clarified during his discussion with reporters.
Despite trying to remain optimistic, Smith expressed deep emotional distress about the likely end of his season: “This really stings. It sucks, man. This will be my second one. I’ve been with the Mets for a long time, and I love this organization. They’ve done a lot for me over the years,” he lamented.
Seeking further medical advice, Smith and the Mets are exploring options, but all signs point towards another Tommy John surgery. This procedure, which reconstructs the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow, would be Smith’s second such operation in his career, coming at an especially challenging time just months before he becomes a free agent.
“Entering free agency, it’s a tough time for this to happen. There’s never a good time for this,” Smith reflected somberly. “I’ve cherished my time here, and while I don’t know if it’s definitively over, this could be the end, and it’s just tough to see it potentially ending like this.”
Smith’s situation underscores the unpredictable and often harsh realities faced by professional athletes, where injuries can abruptly alter careers and personal trajectories. For now, he awaits further medical evaluations and decisions that will shape not just his immediate future in baseball, but potentially his long-term career prospects as well.
