New York Mets DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

"Everything's trending in the right direction" for New York Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith (shoulder) to come off the 15-day injured list early this week, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The 30-year-old right-hander will most likely come off the injured list on Tuesday and be eligible out of the bullpen against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Smith had a strong 2.70 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with three holds and one save in 10 innings pitched for the Mets before he was placed on the injured list on April 27 with right-shoulder inflammation. Outside of deep holds leagues, Smith doesn't have a ton of fantasy value in a setup role in New York's bullpen. In his six-year career with the Mets, Smith holds a 3.48 ERA, a 1.70 WHIP, four saves and 190 strikeouts in 188 2/3 innings pitched.

New York Mets left-hander David Peterson (hip) will move his minor-league rehab assignment to Double-A Binghamton this week. Peterson has looked good so far in three rehab games with Low-A St. Lucie, allowing just two hits in 8 2/3 scoreless innings. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Peterson could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list as early as May 27, the first day he's eligible to be reinstated. The 28-year-old southpaw is trying to make a return from offseason hip surgery, so he'll be making his 2024 debut whenever he gets into a game. At the moment, the Mets' starting rotation is full and healthy, so there's a chance that Peterson is sent back to the minor leagues when he comes off the injured list. The former 20th overall pick in 2017 out of Oregon went 3-8 last year with a 5.03 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 50 walks and a career-high 128 strikeouts in 111 innings over 27 appearances (21 starts).

New York Mets right-hander Tylor Megill (shoulder) tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday in yet another strong minor-league rehab outing. In his four rehab starts, Megill has given up just one run on nine hits over 16 innings and has struck out 23 with just one walk. The Mets will now decide whether to reinstate him from the 15-day injured list this week. Even though the 28-year-old has looked good on his rehab assignment, manager Carlos Mendoza has been hesitant to say that Megill will be handed a rotation spot upon his return. Megill has been on the IL since April 1 with a shoulder strain but has been building up as a starter as he rehabs. A multi-inning relief role would put Megill off the fantasy radar in deep leagues. He was hit with the loss in his lone start this year in 2024 on March 31 against the Brewers, when he allowed an earned run in four innings of work.

New York Mets left-handed reliever Brooks Raley (elbow) will meet with Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday to make a firmer decision on his inflamed left elbow. Raley is concerned about bone spurs and possible ligament damage in his elbow, which means his 2024 season is very much in jeopardy. Manager Carlos Mendoza said late last week that Raley is "not close" to throwing and could be shut down for the foreseeable future if Meister doesn't like what he sees on Tuesday. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 21 and was initially expected to return as soon as he was eligible. In a worst-case scenario, Raley would need Tommy John surgery or an internal-brace procedure, which would keep him out for the rest of this year and the start of 2025. It would be a pretty big blow for New York's bullpen.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz was not sharp in Monday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Phillies. Diaz came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two. He allowed a leadoff solo home run, allowed a single and a walk, got the first out on a strikeout and the second out on a pop-out, allowed another walk, hit a batter to bring the tying run in, and ended the inning with a strikeout. The 30-year-old, who did not pitch last season due to injury, has not looked as sharp, converting five of seven save opportunities with a 3.24 ERA, a 13.50 K/9 rate, and a 3.24 BB/9 rate. However, he should be given a long leash with his history of excellence and fantasy managers should not panic at this time.