MLB

Mets place Tylor Megill on IL in another early rotation blow

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Published April 1, 2024, 2:54 p.m. ET

The Mets didn’t even survive one full turn through the starting rotation without needing a replacement for a replacement.

Tylor Megill was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with what the Mets termed a low-grade shoulder strain, one day after departing early from his start against the Brewers with discomfort.

Megill received his rotation spot in spring training after Kodai Senga was shut down from throwing and it became clear he would open the season on the IL.

The Mets placed Tylor Megill on the injured list.
The Mets placed Tylor Megill on the injured list. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post

The right-hander Megill missed significant action in 2022 with a shoulder strain, but said this latest injury doesn’t seem as severe.

Megill said the discomfort surfaced on a curveball he threw to the first batter of the fourth inning Sunday.

“And then it started getting tight,” said Megill, who completed the inning. “It was kind of similar to what it was in ’22, but nowhere near the pain that it was. In ’22 it happened and I tried to throw another pitch and then I had to shut it down.”

The Mets may not have to worry about Megill’s spot in the rotation until early next week given Thursday’s scheduled day off.

But the equation could change, pushing that spot in the rotation back even further, depending on the weather the next two days.

Jose Butto had a strong spring training and would be the natural favorite to replace Megill.

But Butto was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse before the first game of the season and must remain in the minors for at least 15 days unless the Mets have an IL stint in which he’s the corresponding roster move.

In this case, the Mets decided to add an extra reliever, Reed Garrett, as the corresponding roster move for Megill, as Yohan Ramirez on Monday began serving a two-game suspension, after he was ejected on Saturday for throwing behind Rhys Hoskins.

But Butto isn’t necessarily out of play until April 12: with rain in the forecast the next two days, the Mets are prepared for the possibility they will have to play a doubleheader on Thursday’s scheduled off day.

Butto could be a consideration to start one of those games as the extra player allowed for a doubleheader.

Tylor Megill, pictured during his first start of the season, also missed time in 2022 due to a shoulder strain.
Tylor Megill, pictured during his first start of the season, also missed time in 2022 due to a shoulder strain. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

Joey Lucchesi, who was optioned to the minors before the start of the season, falls into the same category as Butto as needing to wait until at least April 12 before rejoining the Mets unless he’s the corresponding roster move for a player placed on the IL.

“It’s always concerning when you’re down two [starting pitchers], but we have been talking about our depth and here we are, it’s going to get tested,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We have some young arms in Triple-A and we have got options. I do feel good about our depth and they are going to get an opportunity here very soon.”

Tylor Megill won't throw for at least five to seven days for the Mets.
Tylor Megill won’t throw for at least five to seven days for the Mets. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

Megill, who arrived at spring training built up to pitch after an offseason in which he worked to develop a splitter and cutter, won’t throw for at least five to seven days.

“I felt good this whole offseason and I felt good this whole spring and then it just happens to happen in my first start back,” Megill said. “I wasn’t looking for that to happen and it just sucks, but I can only give it a little bit of rest and start building up.”