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3 injured NY Mets who would’ve made the biggest difference during 2025 stretch run

It sure would have been nice to have these three NY Mets playing and healthy right now.
ByNoah Wright|
May 2, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Jesse Winker (3) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 2, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Jesse Winker (3) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
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2) A.J. Minter

A.J. Minter spent the first seven years of his career with the division rival Atlanta Braves. From his 2017 debut through 2024, Minter was a stalwart set-up man, pitching to a 3.28 ERA, 2.89 FIP, and 1.20 WHIP. His 348.2 innings with the Braves were the 11th most by a left-handed reliever during these seven campaigns. 

The Mets then picked Minter up on a one-year contract worth $11 million, with a player option that would net him another $11 million. He looked like a great signing by the Mets, as he only allowed two earned runs on six hits and five walks. He racked up 14 strikeouts while inducing a whiff rate of 34.2%. 

Minter looked like a great set-up option for the Mets, that was until he was forced to undergo season-ending lat surgery during the first week of May. The timing of this was horrible, given that fellow Southpaw bullpen arm Danny Young underwent Tommy John surgery the day before Minter underwent his own procedure.

Since then, the Mets haven’t found a truly reliable lefty bullpen arm. Gregory Soto has had some ups and downs since the Mets acquired him. Jose Castillo, Genesis Cabrera, and Richard Lovelady did not last long. Brooks Raley returned from his own Tommy John surgery, which has helped alleviate the need. However, losing Minter put a severe strain on their bullpen depth chart, especially when it came to the 7th and 8th innings.

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