Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
Mets pitchers Tylor Megill and Drew Smith are scheduled to throw on Sunday, Tim Healey of Newsday reported Saturday.
Megill (strained shoulder) is reportedly going to throw a 15-pitch bullpen session, his first since landing on the injured list for the second time this season. He last pitched for the Mets on June 16, which was just his second outing since returning from his previous IL stint that had knocked him out since May 11. Megill, who was been strictly a starting pitcher in the major leagues, is expected to return this season as a reliever before being stretched back out in the winter.
Two particularly rough outings buoyed Megill’s season ERA to over five, but he still owns a 10.2 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9, along with being a key part of the second no-hitter in Mets history. In the rotation, Megill has been a strong starter with the occasional blowup.
Megill could be a key piece if his transition to the bullpen goes well and he stays healthy. The Mets could use another arm in the bullpen, even with Edwin Diaz and Adam Ottavino being as dominant as they’ve been. They fell short at the trade deadline and are still trying to solidify the moving parts in their relief corps.
Smith has a 3.51 ERA in 37 games this year, although he struggled in July and has been plagued by the home run ball. Despite his recent struggles, he’s still been an effective reliever over the past two seasons for the Mets.He last pitched in a game on July 24 before going down with a strained lat. This will also be the first time he’s thrown since then.
The progression of both Megill and Smith is important because of the Mets’ top-heavy but thin bullpen. They’re going to need as many arms as they can get, especially going into October.
