For the New York Mets, this has been a surprising season, and in the worst ways possible. This team has superstars, like Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, and yet, with ten games left and they have a slim 1½-game cushion for the final NL Wild Card spot. And just when you think this reeling team couldn’t suffer any further, there is more heartbreaking news—Reed Garrett is down again.

The right-hander, who was supposed to be one of Carlos Mendoza’s most reliable arms, has landed back on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain. This effectively ends his regular-season stint and also shrouds the Mets’ October games in a darker cloud. What makes it sting even more is that Garrett has only just returned from the IL earlier this month after battling with elbow inflammation!

Mendoza, who was clearly shaken, didn’t sugarcoat things when asked about the situation. “Same thing, he was dealing with the elbow when he went to the IL. He continues to have a hard time recovering every time he pitches. Last night we got him hot as he was getting loose at the bullpen. He shut it down. We got a call…that he couldn’t go to the dugout anymore. So he is getting imaging at some point today, and then we will see what we got.”

When asked about whether he would need Tommy John surgery, Mendoza said, “It’s hard to say; we have to wait, but it’s concerning that for the second time in less than a month, a guy is going down for an elbow injury.” This is honestly the last thing the New York Mets and the player really need. Because Garett was not just another arm—he was a steady option for the team. He struck out 64 batters over 55⅓ ⅓ innings, flashing a swing-and-miss edge that the team needs. So losing that in September is one thing, but October—that could be fatal for them.

On Thursday, the Mets struggled to fill that gap. They designated Dom Hamel for assignment and selected Wander Suero. They recalled Chris Devenski and Huascar Brazoban from Triple-A Syracuse. So for sure, it’s a huge blanket of patchwork for them, but given that they face the Padres and Nationals next, having fresh arms is better than having none at all. But, yes, Ryan Helsley has begun to look like himself, and Gregory Soto has shown flashes of improvement; meanwhile, Diaz is anchoring the bullpen ship. But even then, without Garrett, the margin for error is next to nothing for the team. Now, along with Garrett, there are two more players who, if they didn’t land on the IL, could have made the biggest difference in the Mets’ run in 2025.

The injuries that changed the Mets’ season

The reality is for sure grim for the New York Mets, given that even with the biggest superstars, they are clinging to that last wild-card spot. However, it’s hard not to wonder about the what-ifs of this season. Certain players who could have made the difference but never got the chance to shine to their potential. And two names pop up—Jesse Winker and A.J. Minter.

Starting with Jesse Winker, he was supposed to be the bat the team could rely on. He got in Queens at the 2024 trade deadline, and he brought in that edge the team needed in big moments. This factor got him the $7.5 million deal for being a Met this season. However, this season, he barely got going. First, he suffered an oblique strain, and that sidelined him for weeks. Then Winker returned only for a back issue to stall his run. He only played 26 games, and that’s a huge shame. Because he can deliver under pressure, right what the Mets are facing. Last season, he got a .986 OPS in high-leverage spots.

Then secondly, there is A.J. Minter, who the Mets thought would strengthen the bullpen. And without a doubt, he looked like the perfect late-inning option. He had struck out 14 hitters with barely any damage. But then May rolled around, and a late injury ended his season. It was bad timing because Danny Young, too, had just gone down with Tommy John surgery. So this left the team without a reliable lefty. So losing Minter has left a huge hole that is still obvious anytime the 7th or the 8th innings roll around.

For now, the fanbase can only wonder and ponder on the what-if story. But honestly, now it’s about what’s left.