Drew Smith, a reliever, returns to the Mets after missing nearly six weeks due to shoulder injury.
NEW YORK— The New York Mets reinstated reliever Drew Smith from the 15-day disabled list on Sunday, after he recovered from right shoulder inflammation that had kept him out since April 23.
From May 8 to May 31, Smith made five one-inning relief appearances for Triple-A Syracuse and one for Class A Brooklyn as part of a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment.
Smith, a 30-year-old right-hander, is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings across 10 games with the Mets this season.
“We have to be careful and really make sure that we put him in a situation where we’re not putting him at risk,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re satisfied with where he is physically, but he’s an important component of that bullpen. Obviously, we missed him throughout the last few weeks.
Following a 10-5 loss to Arizona on Saturday, New York optioned left-handed pitcher Josh Walker to Triple-A Syracuse.
Mendoza said that closer Edwin Díaz has been playing catch. The All-Star right-hander was placed on the injured list on Wednesday due to right shoulder impingement.
