Relief pitcher Austin Warren has returned to the mound for the New York Mets, marking a significant comeback after a forearm issue in July led him to believe his season was over and he might require Tommy John surgery.
Warren pitched a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts against the Padres on Wednesday, his first appearance since recovering from the scare. He expressed his relief and excitement to be back competing with his teammates.
"I didn’t like falling behind and being in a full count with every batter,” Warren said Friday. “But I will take the results. I am excited to be back with the guys and competing again.”
Warren, who had been one of the Mets’ most effective relievers in the first half of the season, alerted the team to discomfort in his forearm in July, fearing the worst. However, an MRI revealed that surgery was not necessary. He was shut down from throwing for six days before beginning a gradual progression that allowed for his return to the team.
"I probably should have said something earlier,” Warren admitted. “That’s just a bonehead mistake on my side. But I am glad the results came back the way they did and it wasn’t worse. It could have been worse if I kept pitching through it.”
He noted that the bullpen has changed since he departed, particularly following the Aug. 3 trade deadline. "It was definitely different walking out to the pen the first night,” Warren said. “But I feel like everyone is stepping up and doing their job. That is all we can ask for right now.”
In other team news, interim manager Andy Green is rotating the designated hitter spot due to Jorge Polanco’s placement on the injured list and impending season-ending ankle surgery. "Given where we are without Polanco or a consistent DH, I think you will see that [spot] passed around a little bit more in order to refresh guys,” Green stated.
Rookie outfielder Carson Benge reached a milestone on Wednesday, hitting his 15th homer of the season. This total, combined with at least 15 stolen bases, places him in rare company, joining Darryl Strawberry as the only Mets rookies in franchise history to achieve this feat. Benge is also currently the only rookie in MLB this season with at least 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases.