Author: Billy Taylor
Editor: Brian Symons
Injuries have been rampant in Major League Baseball this year, and many big-name players are going to be watching from the sidelines for an extended period. But no team has had quite the luck the Mets have had in terms of the sheer number of injuries they have endured. At the time of writing, the Mets have sixteen major league players on the injured list (yes, 16!). With seven out of the nine Opening Day starters sidelined. Yet, they continue to stay afloat at the top of the weak, yet talented NL East.
The slew of injuries for the Mets started when J.D. Davis and Brandon Nimmo landed on the I.L. with finger and hand injuries, respectively. It was unfortunate to lose the two hottest hitters in the Met lineup, but that was just the beginning for the New York Mets. Albert Almora Jr. then ran face first into the outfield wall, attempting a valiant effort to make a play. Luis Guillorme was sidelined with an oblique injury, Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil are on the I.L. with hamstring and quad injuries. Taijuan Walker suffered a “side” injury, which he reportedly had been dealing with for a couple of weeks. This came off the heels of Jacob DeGrom going on the IL with lat tightness and back issues. As if that wasn’t ridiculous enough, Pete Alonso and Tommy Hunter landed on the I.L. May 21st with hand and back injuries.
And of course, the scariest injury the Mets endured was to Kevin Pillar who took a pitch to the face from Jacob Webb on May 17th against the Braves. It was a scary situation for everyone involved and certainly put a damper on the rest of the game. Pillar is fine, thankfully. It also helps that he is tough as nails, it took Pillar less than one minute to get back up after taking 94 MPH to the face. According to Marcus Stroman’s Twitter, Pillar came into the locker room the next day and said, “Am I in the lineup today or what?”. If Pillar could see out of both his eyes, I truly believe he would’ve convinced Luis Rojas to play. According to Tim Healey of Newsday, Pillar underwent surgery on May 21st to repair his broken nose and will be able to resume baseball activities in 10-14 days.
This could certainly be interpreted as the lowest point of the season, especially coming off two ugly losses to the Miami Marlins. But it doesn’t really feel that way, at least for me personally. Considering how the Mets are currently constructed, they could be performing a lot worse as a team. The Mets are made up of a plethora of veterans on one-year deals, AAAA players, and prospects with potential talent ranging from low to somewhat highly regarded. Johneshwy Fargas, Brandon Drury, Jake Hagar, Jonathon Villar, Kevin Pillar, Khalil Lee, Cameron Maybin, Wilfredo Tovar, Patrick Mazeika. You get the idea. Some names you recognize, others you’ve never heard before, and some you will never hear from again. Despite this, these Mets have a real competitive drive and will to win. With veterans like Marcus Stroman, Francisco Lindor and Dominic Smith leading the enthusiastic vagabond crew, players coming through in big spots, and rallying behind the warrior mentality of Kevin Pillar, this team has undeniable chemistry.
Many Met fans are frustrated, and I get it. But this can be a completely new team when they get healthier; God willing. Not only are the aforementioned players injured, but they also have very important pieces like Noah Syndergaard, Seth Lugo, and Carlos Carrasco still on the shelf. There should be a ton of reinforcements on the way for the Mets. If they can find a way to carry the vibe they have right now as a team and get healthy, they could end up being one of the best teams in the franchise’s history.
METS ARE OUR UNIVERSE
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