The Mets have placed right-handed pitcher Tylor Megillon the IL due to a sprained right elbow.
Megill struggled badly during his start against the Rays on Saturday at Citi Field, allowing seven runs (three earned) on seven hits while walking two and striking out five.
He has taken a downturn since starting the season hot, allowing four runs or more in five of his last eight starts.
Speaking in the clubhouse on Tuesday, Megill said the good news is that an MRI revealed his elbow is structurally fine, but he’s dealing with inflammation, saying he felt “some pulling” in his elbow during his last start, particularly when throwing breaking balls, and that he had “no idea” where his sliders were going.
“Just lots of inflammation around the elbow,” Megill said. “That’s kind of what’s pissing off the tendons and ligaments.”
The plan for now, according to Megill, is to rest his arm for 7-10 days before getting reassessed. According to manager Carlos Mendoza, even if the inflammation subsides in 7-10 days, it would likely be 4-5 weeks before Megill is fully ramped back up to pitch in the majors.
With Megill on the IL, reliever Justin Garza has been called up from Triple-A Syracuse — possibly to keep a spot warm until the Mets decide who starts in Megill’s place the next time through the rotation.
The way Megill had been pitching recently, it was possible he was nearing the end of his run in the rotation, since Frankie Montas is expected back after making one more rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse.
Beyond Montas, the Mets are also expected to get Sean Manaea back relatively soon. Manaea has already made three rehab starts, and will likely make two or three more before being activated.
Still, the loss of Megill so soon after the Mets placed Kodai Senga on the IL due to a hamstring injury that could keep him out until around the All-Star break will challenge their depth at least for a short time.
New York’s current rotation consists of Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Griffin Canning, and Paul Blackburn — who will return to the rotation on Wednesday in place of Senga.
On Tuesday against the Braves in Atlanta, the Mets begin a stretch of 13 games in 13 days, which means they’ll need someone to fill a rotation spot on Friday in Philadelphia, which had been Megill’s next expected turn.
They could conceivably opt to use an opener in place of Megill, or could turn to a myriad of options currently with Triple-A Syracuse.
Brandon Waddell (who last pitched on June 12) could be an option, as could a prospect such as Nolan McLean.
McLean last pitched on June 14, and has been pitching every fifth or sixth day, which means he would line up for a potential spot-start on Friday.
According to Mendoza, Friday will likely be a spot start for whoever gets the ball, and the Mets will then have a decision to make with Montas, if all goes well in his next rehab start.
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