New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott is set to undergo elbow surgery next week, a significant development for the Mets' pitching staff as they head into the final stretch of the season. The procedure will address Scott's ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and will involve installing an internal brace, a surgery that will unfortunately sideline him through the entirety of the 2025 season.
Scott, who has been absent since July 21, was officially placed on the injured list two days later when the team described his injury as a UCL strain. This injury is not new for Scott; his elbow issues date back to last season, where he missed over two weeks late in the campaign due to similar problems.
Before his injury, Scott had made nine starts in the big leagues this season, compiling a 4.56 ERA and a noteworthy 3.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Despite the promising numbers, his 2023 season has ended prematurely. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has emphasized a cautious approach in dealing with Scott's injury, focusing on long-term health over immediate returns.
"It's too early to tell. I'm not going to sit here and speculate when we don't have all the facts and all the information," Mendoza said. "We've got to wait till the doctors and all the people that have to read the MRI and all that, and then we'll make that decision."
The Mets' rotation has been heavily impacted by injuries this season, with key starters Kodai Senga and Paul Blackburn also missing from action. Blackburn was recently shut down due to a spinal fluid leak in his back, further straining the Mets’ pitching depth. Despite these setbacks, the team has managed to maintain an 83-68 record entering Wednesday.
The Mets are currently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the league's second wild-card spot, holding a narrow two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves, the first team outside the playoff bracket. This makes the Mets' upcoming three-game series in Atlanta next week particularly critical, with significant playoff implications on the line.
As the Mets continue to focus on their remaining games, the loss of Scott, as well as other key pitchers, has undoubtedly intensified the challenge of securing a playoff berth. However, the team remains determined to push forward despite the injuries.
The path ahead appears arduous, but with a resilient squad and cautious, strategic management of their injured players, the Mets hope to navigate this tumultuous period and clinch a spot in the postseason.