Mets Notebook: A.J. Minter’s rehab assignment shut down
DENVER — A bullpen that could have used a boost and is in desperate need of a high-leverage arm will have to figure it out without the help of left-hander A. J. Minter .
The Mets were set to activate the veteran reliever this weekend in Phoenix during a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he felt something in his surgically repaired hip this week and reported it to the Mets , causing the Mets to end his rehab assignment. “We pulled him off the rehab today,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday at Coors Field. “He has left hip discomfort.
We’re not too concerned. We’ll probably give him a few days and then he’ll continue to throw. ” The 32-year-old Minter was coming off August 2024 hip labrum and microfracture surgery when the Mets signed him to a free-agent contract ahead of the 2025 season.
He managed to start the season on time, but then suffered a lat avulsion in May of last year. Minter underwent surgery to repair the tear, ending his season prematurely. Coming into spring training, he felt healthy, but the Mets put him on a slow progression to keep him that way.
The former Atlanta Braves lefty appeared to be healthy during his minor league assignment as well, going 1-0 with a 1. 17 ERA over eight appearances (7 2/3 innings). His velocity, however, never quite returned.