Mets’ Dedniel Núñez to Undergo Second Tommy John Surgery
The New York Mets’ bullpen has faced another setback as manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that reliever Dedniel Núñez will undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. This latest injury marks a significant blow to the team’s already strained pitching depth, as Núñez is set to have the procedure within the next week.
Mendoza expressed his disappointment during a press conference, calling the situation “unfortunate.” He acknowledged the challenges Núñez has faced over the years, particularly noting that this is the second time the right-hander has required surgery on his right arm. The 29-year-old had already undergone the procedure in 2021 after suffering a UCL sprain, and he missed the entire 2022 season due to the injury.
Despite the setbacks, Núñez showed promise in the 2024 season before his latest injury. He appeared in 10 games for the Mets this year, contributing to a 2.31 ERA across 25 appearances. His performance was particularly strong in June and July, where he demonstrated the form that made him a key part of the bullpen. However, an elbow sprain cut his season short, leading to the need for further medical intervention.
Mendoza emphasized how frustrating it is for the team to see Núñez struggle once again, especially after showing signs of returning to his best self. “When we started to see that version of Núñez, for him to go down is unfortunate,” he said. The manager also praised Núñez’s hard work during his previous rehab, highlighting the dedication it takes to recover from such injuries.
Núñez’s recent struggles were evident in May, when he struggled in five appearances and was sent down to Triple-A. However, upon his return to the majors in late June, he began to show flashes of his former dominance. One standout moment came against the Atlanta Braves, where he pitched 6.1 scoreless innings following Griffin Canning’s Achilles injury. That performance helped boost his confidence, with Núñez expressing optimism about his future with the team.
Unfortunately, those positive signs were short-lived. Núñez’s latest injury means he will now join other injured pitchers on the disabled list, including Jose Butto, Max Kranick, AJ Minter, and Danny Young. This development adds to the growing concerns about the Mets’ pitching depth, especially with the team relying heavily on its bullpen throughout the season.
As the Mets continue to navigate through their roster challenges, the loss of Núñez is a major setback. His experience and ability to provide reliable relief innings have been crucial to the team’s success. With his latest injury, the focus will shift to how the organization can fill the gap left by his absence.
For now, the team must look ahead and find ways to adjust to the new reality. Whether through internal promotions or external acquisitions, the Mets will need to address their bullpen issues quickly to remain competitive in the standings. For Núñez, the road to recovery will be long, but his resilience and determination offer hope that he may one day return to the mound in a meaningful way.
