Mets place Megill on IL with right elbow sprain
The New York Mets' rotation took another hit Tuesday, as the team placed right-hander Tylor Megill on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow sprain.
Reliever Justin Garza was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.
News of Megill's injury comes three days after his worst outing of the season, when he allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, and made a throwing error that led to three unearned runs. Megill told reporters Tuesday that he "just felt some pulling on my elbow" during Saturday's start, which contributed to his lack of command, per SNY.
The 29-year-old underwent an MRI that revealed no ligament damage but did show inflammation that Megill described as "kinda pissing off the tendons and ligaments."
The hurler will be shut down from throwing for the next 7-10 days, at which point he'll be re-evaluated, according to Newsday's Laura Albanese. Manager Carlos Mendoza said that a best-case scenario for Megill's return would be within four-to-five weeks, assuming his inflammation subsides within the next 10 days, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
Megill has been a nice surprise for the Mets this season, posting career-best numbers across the board. The California native owns a 3.95 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and 1.36 FIP, along with 89 strikeouts and an 11.7 K/9 rate across 14 starts. He's allowed only six home runs in 68 1/3 innings.
Megill is the second Mets starter to go down in the last seven days after the team lost ace and NL ERA leader Kodai Senga to a hamstring injury June 12. Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea have yet to start in the majors this year as they continue to recover from lat and oblique injuries, respectively. However, both began minor-league rehab assignments this month.
For now, a spot starter will take Megill's next scheduled turn in the rotation, on Friday in Washington, Mendoza said. Montas and Manaea aren't being considered as they're both making rehab starts this week. However, Montas could be ready to join the rotation after that, depending on how he feels after Wednesday's start.
Potential options on the 40-man roster who could make Friday's start include Blade Tidwell, Justin Hagenman, and Brandon Waddell.
New York enters play Tuesday sporting the NL's best record at 45-27 while holding a two-game lead on the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.