New York Mets Reliever Tim Byrdak To DL

Published: 12^th Mar 12 12:13 pm

by Michael Terrill
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Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

According to sources, New York Mets reliever Tim Byrdak has suffered a torn meniscus and will be placed on the disabled list. He will need surgery to repair the injury which means he could miss up to six weeks.

Losing Byrdak on the Opening Day roster is a huge blow to the Mets as he was going to be the only left-handed reliever in the bullpen. Considering New York does not have another left-handed specialist to go to for the first six weeks of the season they will have to think outside the box. Manager Terry Collins mentioned Josh Edgin, a lefty who is currently not in camp at the moment, is a possibility to replace Byrdak for the time being. Other possibilities are Garett Olson, Chuck James, and Daniel Herrera.

The Mets re-signed Byrdak to a one-year deal this past offseason to the surprise of many. In 72 games last season, he posted a 2-1 record with a 3.82 ERA, 47 strikeouts, eight holds and one save.

Byrdak claims he has not been feeling right for weeks and knew something was wrong.

“It was something, working out in the offseason, there was a little discomfort,” Byrdak said, according to ESPN. “I actually felt it when I went to sit on the couch one day. I went to put my foot underneath me and I said I really didn’t feel right. But there was no injury, no pop, no sudden movement that tweaked it. It’s been something kind of nagging around. I was pitching with it this whole time. It’s still kind of there. I sought treatment for it and it wasn’t really responding to the treatment.”

The Mets will release an update after the surgery takes place Tuesday.