A one-time high Mets pitching prospect is lastly again on the mound, as Matt Allan made his first look in an precise recreation on Sunday since 2019.
The precise-hander tossed 2 ²/₃ innings and struck out 5 for Low-A St. Lucie after lacking time as a consequence of a number of elbow procedures — together with Tommy John surgical procedure in 2021 and a follow-up in 2023.
The 2019 third-round decide, who was a sought-after prospect popping out of Sanford Excessive Faculty in Florida in 2019, turns 24 this month, however has but to pitch in additional than six video games or toss greater than 10 ¹/₃ innings within the execs.
“So he threw [Sunday] night,” Stearns mentioned. “Let’s get to the next one. And after that, let’s get to the next one. What I will say is what he is doing right now is really impressive and he’s demonstrating why he was so sought after at the draft and why he has kept pushing so hard for the last five years to get back to this point.”
For a corporation that has had a tough time growing good main league starters these days, they might use Allan fulfilling expectations, as they watch for Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean, who might each be elements this season.
Given Allan’s harm historical past, his future is much more troublesome to foretell.
“I don’t think we’re going to put too many ceilings on him,” Stearns mentioned. “I think as he performs, we’ll move him [up], but we also need to ensure that he stays healthy and he’s able to take the ball. … I think given everything Matt’s gone through, every time he takes the ball right now, we’re just happy. And he deserves to be happy and he deserves to enjoy it.”
Stearns mentioned Mark Vientos is “off to a rough start. He’s probably chasing a little bit more than he’d like to.”
Vientos entered Monday 4-for-34 with no homers after his breakout season a 12 months in the past, though he’s swinging at fewer pitches exterior the strike zone than in 2024.
He walked a career-high thrice in Monday’s 2-0 win over Miami. He additionally lined out to left within the third.
“He will snap out of this, but clearly he’s not performing at the level we saw last year right now,” Stearns mentioned. “He’s not performing at the level he wants, but the talent is still in there. He’s still a really good hitter. He’s got a ton of power.”
Dedniel Núñez has made three minor league rehab appearances in his comeback from the forearm tightness that ended his 2024 season.
Stearns mentioned the right-hander has appeared good, however the Mets will proceed to take it gradual with him they usually haven’t determined once they’ll name him up.
“We’re going through a pretty structured progression here, so when we call him up he has the ability to really function as a full-go major league reliever,” Stearns mentioned. “He’s thrown well. That’s been encouraging.”
Luis Torrens was held out of the beginning lineup for a 3rd straight recreation as a consequence of a forearm contusion.
With Hayden Senger behind the plate, Mendoza mentioned Tyrone Taylor was the group’s emergency backup.
Paul Blackburn (proper knee irritation) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Tuesday and nonetheless must face hitters earlier than he can start a rehab task.
Poor climate in New York could power the Mets to ship Jeff McNeil (indirect) and Francisco Alvarez (hamate bone) to Port St. Lucie to proceed their rehabs, since they haven’t been in a position to hit exterior.
The Mets will honor the St. John’s males’s basketball group Wednesday. Rick Pitino, named Naismith Males’s Faculty Coach of the Yr after main this system to its first Massive East title since 2000 earlier than dropping within the second spherical of the NCAA Match, will probably be available and junior ahead Zuby Ejiofor is scheduled to throw out the primary pitch.
