Mets Lose Another Pitcher To Injured List

The pitching injury bug continues to bite the New York Mets. Starting pitchers Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana are already on the IL, while closer Edwin Diaz is out for the year. Now, 16-year veteran right-hander Tommy Hunter has landed on the injured list with a wonky back.

The Mets announce that Tommy Hunter is hitting the IL with back spasms. Reliever Denyi Reyes has been selected and added to the roster.

Bryce Montes de Oca was transferred to the 60-day IL.

— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) April 4, 2023

Hunter, in his 3rd season with the Mets, has pitched ffour innings thus far this season, and quite likely the back spasms help explain the 11.25 ERA. 

Last season, in 22.1 innings, Hunter was very effective, posting a 2.42 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a 22:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

In his 16 seasons in the bigs, the 36 year old has a 4.03 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP. But since being turned into a full-time reliever 10 years ago, his numbers are even more impressive, with a 3.21 ERA. 

Reliever Denyi Reyes has been selected to the roster from Triple-A to replace Hunter. The 26-year-old had a short, but successful debut in the majors last season with the Baltimore Orioles, allowing just two earned runs in 7.2 innings. In the minors over the past several years, he's posted a solid 3.29 ERA.

Another Mets reliever, rookie Bryce Montes de Oca, is also out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery last week.  

Photo: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports