Brooks Raley was one of the New York Mets’ top acquisitions this past offseason. The 34-year-old was brought in to shore up a beleaguered bullpen that lost several veteran arms in free agency. Raley, who came over from Tampa Bay in an early December trade, established himself as one of the better left-handed relievers in the American League in 2022.
While the Mets were prepared to move through their spraining training schedule without Raley and get ready for the upcoming season, it’ll be the United States, who will be without the lefty for the remainder of the World Baseball Classic.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported late Friday that Los Angeles Angels reliever Aaron Loup would be replacing Raley on the Team USA roster. The Mets provided an update on Saturday morning, stating that, “Brooks Raley underwent imaging yesterday after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring. The images showed a low-grade hamstring strain. He will return to Port St. Lucie and we’ll update his timeline when appropriate.”
Brooks Raley underwent imaging yesterday after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring. The images showed a low grade hamstring strain. He will return to Port St. Lucie and we’ll update his timeline when appropriate.
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 11, 2023
The news of Raley’s reported injury was met with a lot of angst from Mets fans.
Ummmmmmm…Aaron Loup replaces Brooks Raley? Can we have more details please? https://t.co/GPb1Io2qI7
— Casey (@CaseyJ_516) March 11, 2023
Alright #Mets beat writers time to wake up and find out what happened to Brooks Raley. Let’s go. #LGM pic.twitter.com/MNeLBDnam6
— Subway To Shea Podcast (@SubwayToShea) March 11, 2023
We need a Brooks Raley health update ASAP. @Mets
— Ben Yoel (@Ben_Yoel) March 11, 2023
The left-handed reliever had a huge year for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022. Raley pitched to a 1-2 record in 53.2 innings pitched, posting a 2.68 ERA, 0.969 WHIP and allowed only 6.2 hits per nine innings while posting a K/9 rate of 10.2 Hitters did not have much success against Raley in 2022, slashing only .189/.266/.276 against him.
According to SNY’s Andy Martino, Raley’s injury is not serious enough to “provoke” the Mets into looking externally for a left-handed reliever. So as one fan expressed, there is some optimism.
Guy this only a few weeks at the most he should be ready by opening day depending on the grade
— Devin Snyder (@Heyjack0l) March 11, 2023
If Raley’s injury sidelines him for multiple weeks, that could open the door for left-handed pitcher Joey Luchessi to make the Opening Day roster. In any event, the Mets can make do without Raley as veteran David Robertson is one of the most effective relievers in the MLB against left-handed hitting.
