Ahead of Opening Day, the New York Mets were dealt a blow. The Mets, who have already likely lost Edwin Díaz for the season, have reportedly lost another reliever for the entire year. While the team was already expecting to be without right-hand reliever Bryce Montes de Oca for the foreseeable future, the 26-year-old will need to undergo season-ending surgery, according to multiple reports.
Earlier this week, MLB insider Russell Dorsey of Bally Sports/Stadium reported that Montes de Oca would undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove bone fragments from his right elbow. The expected recovery time for this injury was four months, so the Mets were looking to possibly get back a live arm in mid-August.
Bad news for the #Mets: RHP Bryce Montes de Oca will undergo arthroscopic surgery tomorrow to remove bone fragments from his right elbow, sources tell @BallySports and @Stadium. Recovery time is four months with a possible return to action mid-August.
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) March 28, 2023
However, that won’t be the case anymore. During his surgery, doctors discovered the UCL was loose and performed Tommy John surgery, according to Dorsey and Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com. This is the second Tommy John surgery for Montes de Oca, who also underwent the procedure in 2013 when he was in high school.
The Mets’ official Twitter account offered an update on Thursday:
“Yesterday, Bryce Montes de Oca underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. During the procedure, it was determined that his UCL was insufficient and needed to be revised as well. Additional updates will be provided as appropriate.”
Yesterday, Bryce Montes de Oca underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. During the procedure, it was determined that his UCL was insufficient and needed to be revised as well. Additional updates will be provided as appropriate.
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 30, 2023
Montes de Oca pitched in just three games last season for New York but was expected to have a critical role in the team’s bullpen this season. The Mets will have to look elsewhere for depth now that he’s lost for the entire 2023 campaign.
[Russell Dorsey, Michael Mayer, Mets]
