New York Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia has inflammation in his pitching elbow and was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, but no structural damage was found during an examination.
Mejia returned to New York after he felt the elbow tightening while warming up to pitch the ninth inning of Monday’s Opening Day game against the Washington Nationals. Mets relievers Jerry Blevins and Buddy Carlyle took Mejia’s place and closed out a 3-1 victory.
Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek examined Mejia’s elbow. He also had an MRI and X-ray and was given a cortisone shot. Mejia was put on the DL retroactive to Sunday and will not be available to pitch for at least 10 days. Right-hander Erik Goeddel was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace Mejia on the roster.
The Mets’ injury concerns were heightened because the 25-year-old Mejia had Tommy John elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in 2011 and bone chips removed in 2013.
It’s the second year in a row that the Mets’ closer was injured on Opening Day. Last year, Bobby Parnell suffered an elbow injury while blowing a save against the Nationals and missed the rest of the season after Tommy John surgery.
Last season, Mejia came on to post a 6-6 record and 28 saves with a 3.65 ERA in 92 2/3 innings.
Mets manager Terry Collins indicated that Jeurys Familia is likely to take over as the closer until Mejia returns.