The Mets’ pitching depth was compromised for the remainder of this season and all of 2025 on Wednesday as Christian Scott undergoes UCL surgery.
The right-hander must undergo a combined Tommy John ligament replacement operation and an internal orthosis.
The hybrid procedure generally requires a shorter recovery time and will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister early next week.
Scott, 25, has been sidelined since July with an elbow sprain but was in the midst of a throwing program and hoped to return to the roster this season and possibly in the playoffs.
He suffered a similar injury in the minor leagues a year ago and was able to return after a rest, but during rehab he struggled with some of the same issues with his breaking pitches as he did during the shutdown, according to Scott.
Scott started nine games for Triple-A Syracuse before making his MLB debut in May.
In nine starts with the Mets, Scott went 0-3 with a 4.56 ERA, but gave a glimpse of why he had catapulted to the top of the organization’s system in the first month of the minor league season.
Paul Blackburn pitched for the first time since being diagnosed with spinal insufficiency on Wednesday, and the right-hander said if all goes well, he hopes to be back by the middle of next week.
Blackburn initially went on the injury list with a bruised right hand before the back problems began.
Doctors have not been able to determine the cause of the spinal insufficiency, but Blackburn said he received about 10 PRP injections over the weekend to stop the insufficiency and they are confident he will recover from what Blackburn called a “crazy injury.”
If he stays healthy and doesn’t suffer a setback, Blackburn expects to be on the mound for the Mets before the end of the regular season. If he’s able, he’s ready to pitch in whatever role they ask of him.
Brett Baty returned to action for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday after being sidelined since Aug. 22 with a broken finger.
Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that the possibility of Baty returning to the Major League roster at the end of the regular season and beyond is “on the table.”
The left-handed third baseman, who lost his job with the Mets to Mark Vientos in May, had pitched well at Triple-A the week before his injury, recording five extra-base hits in his final seven games before being sidelined.
Mendoza said there are no restrictions on Baty and they will reevaluate his status when the Triple-A season is over this weekend.
