Mets Injuries: Would anyone be surprised if Dellin Betances never pitches again?

Sidelined with a shoulder impingement, New York Mets relief pitcher Dellin Betances began his 2021 season with one run allowed in his inning of work. He landed on the IL immediately after and we haven’t seen him since.

Betances’ return isn’t one of those anticipated ones Mets fans can look forward to this year. His struggles in 2020 have put him in the doghouse with the fans. If he never pitches for the Mets again, I’m not so sure there will be any tears.

Would anyone be shocked if Dellin Betances never pitches for the Mets again?

Optimism about a potential bounce-back season for Betances in 2021 did hit Mets Land this offseason. He was a guy some viewed as a potential secret weapon out of the bullpen. Certainly a reasonable thought based on his history as a big league pitcher, the problem has been his body. Betances pitched only one game in 2019 with the New York Yankees. Last year with the Mets, he got into 15.

It’s not promising when a guy goes down this often. I’m not sure what’s worse. Would we rather see the same injury appear over and over again or the potpourri that we have with Betances?

At this point, I’m not sure which body part of his is going to hurt him next.

Would the Mets even want Dellin Betances back?

If they had the choice, would the Mets care to have Betances back in the bullpen? He only returned this year because he used his player option. I think if it was up to the team, they may have passed.

Betances is now 33. It’s not the age when relief pitchers completely collapse. Theoretically, this could be a prime year ahead for him.

The Mets bullpen seems to have guys who fall into two categories. There are those we either want to or don’t mind seeing in the game. Then there are those reserved for mop-up duty. Betances would fall into the latter—something easily found.

When Betances went down with his injury, it was Trevor Hildenberger that replaced him on the roster. I wouldn’t hesitate to send Hildenberger back to the alternative site for someone with Betances’ pedigree—he does have a lower career ERA than Jacob deGrom after all (typed with a wink and a nod).

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Betances is the kind of pitcher I could see having a Jed Lowrie year. Even if he does come back at some point, I get the feeling it’s only a matter of time before he lands on the IL again.