MLB

Mets’ Sean Reid-Foley thinks he made ‘right decision’ to start season on injured list

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Published March 29, 2024, 11:32 p.m. ET

Sean Reid-Foley left spring training with the idea his arm was healthy enough for the Opening Day roster.

But following a workout Wednesday the right-handed reliever had second thoughts.

“It didn’t feel good,” Reid-Foley said before the Mets’ 3-1 loss to the Brewers in Friday’s season opener at Citi Field. “Give me the ball [now] at 60 percent or 100 percent [later] and I think we made the right decision here. It’s not ‘we’ — I made the right decision and was honest.”

Sean Reid-Foley, pictured during spring training, sustained a shoulder impingement and started the season on the injured list.
Sean Reid-Foley, pictured during spring training, sustained a shoulder impingement and started the season on the injured list. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

After an MRI exam Reid-Foley was told he is dealing with a shoulder impingement and placed on the injured list.

He was among the three relievers under consideration for the final two roster spots, which went to Michael Tonkin and Yohan Ramirez.

Reid-Foley had biceps tendinitis about two weeks ago that led to a brief shutdown from throwing in camp, but returned to pitch in the Grapefruit League last Sunday.

“I felt good in Tampa [on Monday] and then I got up here and I don’t know what happened,” Reid-Foley said. “I didn’t want to put us in a bad spot. … I feel strong, but it just doesn’t feel 100 percent.”

Reid-Foley has not been shut down from throwing, leaving him in position for a potential fast return from the IL.

The Mets’ loss was their first on Opening Day since 2019 in Washington.

Overall, the franchise is 41-22 in openers for a .661 mark that is still best in the major leagues.

Drew Smith was a bright spot for the Mets with his 1 ¹/₃ perfect innings in relief with one strikeout.

The right-hander entered in the fifth with two runners on base and struck out Rhys Hoskins to escape before returning for three outs in the sixth.

“He’s going to get big outs for us,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s a guy that controls the runners on base and the fact he can go back out and face righties and lefties is important. You need that type of versatility out of the bullpen and he’s a guy that is going to be a big piece for us.”

Buddy Harrelson’s six grandchildren participated in the ceremonial first pitch as the Mets unveiled a uniform patch honoring the late shortstop.

Harrelson, a key component on the Mets’ World Series winning team in 1969, died in January at age 79 following a battle with Alzheimer’s.

Harrelson was also the third-base coach for the Mets’ last World Series winning team in 1986.