Minter will undergo surgery May 12 to repair a torn left lat, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Minter was moved to the 60-day injured list Thursday, and it's since been disclosed that he's elected for season-ending surgery. The veteran southpaw was off to a strong start to the 2025 campaign, allowing only two runs in 13 appearances.
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Mets' A.J. Minter: Likely out until September
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The Mets transferred Minter (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday.
Minter was initially placed on the IL on Sunday after being diagnosed with a left lat strain. The southpaw is still weighing whether to undergo season-ending surgery, but even if he elects to treat the injury through rest and rehab, he won't be on track to return to game action until September in a best-case scenario, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Before getting hurt, Minter had been performing well as the top setup man in front of closer Edwin Diaz, logging a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB in 11 innings while collecting seven holds over his 13 appearances.
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Mets' A.J. Minter: Placed on 15-day IL
Rotowire
The Mets placed Minter on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a left lat strain.
Minter was lifted in the eighth inning of Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Nationals due to what was initially reported as left triceps tightness. Further testing revealed a left lat strain, and the 31-year-old southpaw will be shut down from throwing until a rehab program is established. The Mets selected Jose Urena's contract from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.
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Mets' A.J. Minter: Pulled due to triceps tightness
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Minter was pulled in the eighth inning of Saturday's 2-0 win over the Nationals due to left triceps tightness, Manny Gomez of NJ.com reports.
Minter appeared to suffer the injury on his ninth pitch of the inning, and he was lifted quickly after being checked on by a trainer. Manager Carlos Mendoza said after Saturday's game that Minter will "most likely" require a stint on the injured list, per Gomez. Minter posted a 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, six holds and a 13:4 K:BB across 10.2 innings prior to Saturday's outing.
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Mets' A.J. Minter: Notches fourth hold
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Minter worked a perfect eighth inning Thursday to record his fourth hold of the season in a win over the Cardinals.
The southpaw needed only nine pitches (six strikes) to breeze through the top of the St. Louis batting order. Minter has had a strong start to the season as one of the primary setup men for Edwin Diaz, posting a 2.16 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB through 8.1 innings over nine appearances.
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Mets' A.J. Minter: Cleared for spring debut
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Minter (hip) will make his Grapefruit League in Wednesday's game versus the Cardinals, Manny Gomez of NJ.com reports.
Minter will be in line for his first game action since he underwent hip surgery last August. He has just over two weeks to ramp up for Opening Day, but since he'll be deployed as a one-inning reliever, he'll likely need only a handful of appearances in spring training to get himself ready. He's projected to help set up for closer Edwin Diaz in the Mets bullpen this season.
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Mets' A.J. Minter: Facing live batters
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Minter (hip) is throwing a live bullpen session Sunday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
It's the first time since undergoing hip surgery in August that Minter is throwing against live hitters. The left-hander joined the Mets on a two-year, $22 million contract in January and is expected to serve as the setup man for closer Edwin Diaz. Minter could be available for Opening Day if he's able to continue progressing in his rehab with no setbacks over the next few weeks.
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Mets' A.J. Minter: Expects velocity to return
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Minter believes he'll be able to regain his prior velocity following last August's hip surgery, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
The 31-year-old southpaw averaged a career-high 96.7 mph with his fastball in 2022, leading to a 34.7 percent strikeout rate, but those numbers declined to 94.6 mph and a 26.1 percent K rate in 2024. "It's more of the biomechanical side, how to use my legs again," Minter said this week. "[The Mets] were showing me a few examples of the past. Like, in the '22 season, I was really good and throwing really hard. Then you could see the steady decline in my mechanics and then my velocity." Minter is being brought along slowly this spring, but he's expected to be ready to fill a high-leverage role in the bullpen early in the season, if not by Opening Day.
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Mets' A.J. Minter: Optimism for Opening Day
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Minter (hip) isn't guaranteed to be ready for Opening Day, though the Mets are optimistic he'll be available, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The left-hander joined New York on a two-year, $22 million contract in mid-January and is poised to serve as a setup man for closer Edwin Diaz. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Minter is expected to throw his first bullpen of the spring in late February. He underwent hip surgery in August and should be in game-ready condition early in the season even if he's not fully good to go by Opening Day.
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Mets' A.J. Minter: Lands $22 million deal
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Minter (hip) agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract with the Mets on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The Mets were known to be seeking a high-leverage reliever and have landed one of the better ones available in Minter. The 31-year-old southpaw was limited to 39 appearances for Atlanta in 2024 due to a left hip injury which eventually required surgery, but he was highly effective when on the bump, compiling a 2.62 ERA and 35:11 K:BB over 34.1 innings. Since 2020, Minter boasts a 2.85 ERA and 30.1 percent strikeout rate. There's no word on how far along he is in his recovery, but he will presumably be ready to go by Opening Day. He'll operate in a setup role ahead of closer Edwin Diaz next season at least, but the two-year deal has an opt-out after 2025.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Shifted to 60-day injured list
Rotowire
Atlanta transferred Minter (hip) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of new signee Gio Urshela. Minter needs surgery to repair his left hip and will miss the rest of the season.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Visiting specialist
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Minter is slated to see a specialist this week regarding his injured left hip, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Minter landed on the injured list Monday with left hip inflammation -- the second time his hip has forced him to spend time on the IL this year. His first injury caused him to sit out the entire month of June, and Atlanta will know more the southpaw's status for the remainder of the season after his doctor visit.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Returns from injured list
Rotowire
Atlanta activated Minter (hip) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Minter has been on the shelf since late May with left hip inflammation. He made three rehab appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett, allowing two runs (one earned) with a 3:2 K:BB over three frames. Minter should immediately be thrown back into a high-leverage relief role when Atlanta begins its three-game series with the Giants on Tuesday.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Set for rehab outing Sunday
Rotowire
Minter (hip) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Sunday's appearance could be Minter's last before being activated from the 15-day injured list. While he's allowed two runs (one earned) across two minor-league innings, he's only surrendered one hit. Prior to being placed on the IL, Minter turned in a 2.95 ERA and a 23:6 K:BB across 21.1 innings with Atlanta.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Rehab transferred to Triple-A
Rotowire
Minter (hip) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Minter made an appearance with High-A Rome on Saturday, allowing an unearned run and a hit while striking out three batters over an inning on the mound. The left-hander will now take the last step in his recovery from the left hip inflammation that has kept him out since May 30, joining the Triple-A roster. Minter will likely make multiple appearances with Gwinnett before being activated from the 15-day injured list in the near future.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Will throw multiple bullpens
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Minter (hip) will throw multiple bullpen sessions before Atlanta decides whether to send him out on a rehab assignment or activate him, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
The initial feeling when Minter landed on the injured list with left hip inflammation late last month was that he would probably miss about the minimum amount of time. He's already been sidelined longer than that, although he hasn't suffered a setback. Minter boasts a 2.95 ERA and 23:6 K:BB over 21.1 frames this season.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Receives $6.22 million from Atlanta
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Atlanta and Minter avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.22 million contract, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
It's a well-earned raise for Minter in his final year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander's 3.76 ERA in 2023 was a tad elevated, but he boasted an 82:21 K:BB over 64.2 innings while notching 10 saves. Minter will be counted on in high-leverage spots again in 2024.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Rehab appearance on tap
Rotowire
Minter (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Minter has been on the injured list since mid-July due to mild left shoulder inflammation, but he felt good after throwing a bullpen session Saturday. His rehab assignment should be the final step in his recovery process before he's cleared to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Exits with apparent injury
Rotowire
Minter exited Saturday's game against the Rays with an apparent injury, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Minter was called upon to work the eighth inning while protecting a four-run lead. He retired the first batter he faced but was forced from the game immediately after. The nature of the issue is currently unclear.
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Braves' A.J. Minter: Notches save No. 10
Rotowire
Minter struck out the only batter he faced to record his 10th save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Tigers during the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.
Raisel Iglesias worked the ninth inning in the matinee in a non-save situation, so Minter got the call in the nightcap after Joe Jimenez had breezed through the eighth and got the first two outs in the ninth. The southpaw has three saves in his last four games, and while Iglesias remains Atlanta's closer, manager Brian Snitker will likely continue to turn to Minter when Iglesias is unavailable.
