Nate Lavender, one of the Mets’ best relief pitcher prospects, will likely need elbow surgery, a source told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The lefty, who struck out 86 in 54 1/3 innings combined at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse last season, has ligament damage in his left elbow.
The 24-year-old went on the Triple-A injured list this week with an injured elbow. He is scheduled to see Dr. Keith Meister, a renowned elbow expert, to figure out if an internal brace procedure is the best course of action, DiComo reported. Such an operation, a more modern procedure that has a faster rehabilitation time than Tommy John surgery, would be season-ending.
Nate Lavender, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Lavender impressed in spring training, striking out seven in three hitless and scoreless innings. He had thrown seven innings at Syracuse, striking out nine while giving up three runs on six hits and seven walks.
The Mets have not confirmed the report. A club official told DiComo they will have more to say early in the week.
