Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Updated Post: July 21, 15:35

The Mets announce before their doubleheader on Monday that they’ve placed right-handed pitcher Robert Gsellman on the injured list with a right a right lat strain.

In the corresponding move, the Mets are activating Jeff McNeil from the injured list. He’s not in the Game 1 lineup, but is expected to be in the lineup for Game 2.

The Mets also announced that left-hander Stephen Tarpley will be the 27th man against the Braves at Citi Field.

Game 1 starts at 5:10 p.m. ET.

Original Post: July 21, 13:43

Just when it seemed like the New York Mets were emerging on the other side of the incredible number of injuries they’ve dealt with so far this season, the Baseball Gods deal another blow.

New York’s lineup will be getting reinforcements on Monday with Jeff McNeil expected to return, and more help could be on the way soon in the form of Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo. Unfortunately, none of them can pitch.

Per SNY’s Andy Martino, reliever Robert Gsellman is headed to the injured list with a lat issue. This is just another pitching injury on top of the constant monitoring the Mets have had to do with Jacob deGrom recently, along with watching Joey Lucchesi hit the IL over the weekend.

Gsellman has technically only made one start for the Mets this season, but he’s been a crucial part of bridging the gap in bullpen games during the last two-plus months of play. He’s tossed 26 2/3 innings over 15 total appearances, and while his 13.6% strikeout rate is hovering around last year’s career-low 12.7% mark, he’s improved his walk rate, going from 11.3% in 2020 to his current 6.4% clip. Advanced ERA estimators don’t paint as rosy of a picture, but his 3.71 ERA is on track to be his second-lowest mark in a single season since he debuted for New York in 2016.

Some of the keys for Gsellman’s success thus far in 2021 include a rise in ground-ball rate (41.5% to 50.6%) and soft-hit rate allowed (17.0% to 25.6%), as well as a drop in hard-hit rate allowed (37.7% to 30.2%).

This ends up being the latest blow to the organization’s pitching depth, especially in the midst of a brutal stretch of games that includes two doubleheaders over the next five days.