Mets rotation takes another big hit with Marcus Stroman sidelined by injury
The New York Mets starting rotation took another big hit Wednesday after the team announced Marcus Stroman was placed on the injured list with a muscle tear in his calf.
Mets officially place Marcus Stroman on the IL with a muscle tear in his calf. Robert Gsellman will also start the season on the IL with his triceps tightness.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) July 22, 2020
[Still time to join or create a fantasy baseball league for the short season]
Stroman, 29, posted a 3.77 ERA in 11 starts with New York last season.
He was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays last July to help overcome potential losses in free agency. Little did the Mets know how short-handed they would end up on opening day, or that Stroman would be among those missing from the rotation.
According to manager Luis Rojas, Stroman will not require surgery to repair the tear, however, his status will be determined on a "week-to-week" basis. That means he’ll likely miss a significant portion of the 60-game season.
Stroman is the third member of New York’s 2019 rotation who won’t be available on opening day. After losing Zack Wheeler to the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency during the offseason, the Mets also lost Noah Syndergaard to Tommy John surgery in March.
If that’s not problematic enough, ace Jacob deGrom reported lower back discomfort last week. The ailment forced the defending two-time NL Cy Young winner to miss a couple days of workouts, but he’s reportedly back on track to start opening day against the Atlanta Braves.
Behind deGrom, the Mets will have returning left-hander Steven Matz. The team also signed veteran right-handers Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha in free agency. Those insurance policies will now be forced to play prominent roles if the Mets hope to contend in the East.
[Create or join a 2020 Yahoo Fantasy Football League for free today]
In other Mets injury news, right-hander Robert Gsellman was placed on the injured list with triceps tightness.
Entering the 2020 season, the Mets were viewed as a sleeper team to reach the postseason by many experts. Unfortunately, the start of the 2020 season is already following the same path of recent Mets’ seasons that were ruined by injuries.
More from Yahoo Sports:
