Update 9/16 11:00 AM
The Mets have shut down right-hander Jenrry Mejia for the remainder the season. An MRI taken last night after he was forced to leave Wednesday’s game, revealed a “rhomboid strain of the right shoulder blade,” according to a Mets official.
Mejia had been scheduled to play Winter Ball this offseason so that he could continue working on his secondary pitches. I’m thinking that it probably won’t happen and that the team will most likely prescribe rest and some rehabilitation.
Mejia looked like someone who was in need of more minor league seasoning even before the surgery. In his first stint as a reliever he posted a 1.519 WHIP in 28 innings pitched before being demoted. Since being promoted and transitioned to a starter, his 1.813 WHIP showed more development was necessary.
I always felt he was being rushed too quickly and not given a chance to refine his pitches and harness his amazing talent. Mejia only appeared in just one game at AAA-Buffalo and just 16 games in AA-Binghamton where his 1.41 WHIP was hardly worthy of a promotion.
If Mejia is as special as the METS say he is, why would they handle his development in this manner?
Update 10:00 PM
The Mets announced that Mejia has an acute strain in the back of his shoulder. He will receive an MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery TONIGHT. Stay tuned!
Original Post 8:30 PM
Jenrry Mejia has left his start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third inning.
With one out, Mejia walked pitcher Paul Maholm, then threw two balls to leadoff hitter Andrew McCutchen and immediately flinched and grabbed his right shoulder.
Mejia was immediately pulled and replaced by Raul Valdes.
The 20-year-old Mejia, who made 30 relief appearances early in the season for New York, was making his third major league start.
He gave up 10 runs over nine innings in his two previous starts, both losses.
This injury strikes only days after Johan Santana underwent shoulder surgery. Mejia could now be facing the same fate.
What a devastating blow. Surprisingly, Mejia had already missed time with pain in his shoulder in July. But after three weeks he was allowed to pitch again.
When the Mets started to consider limiting innings for Jon Niese and Dillon Gee, not once was Mejia mentioned in that conversation.
Prevention and Recovery?
