Mets' Christian Scott likely out for 2025 due to Tommy John surgery

NEW YORK – Mets rookie right-hander Christian Scott will undergo Tommy John surgery next week and is expected to miss the entire 2025 season.

Scott hasn't pitched since July 21 due to a strained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, but was hoping to return this month to the Mets, who entered Wednesday night with a two-game lead over Atlanta for the National League's final playoff spot.

“I think it's safe to say he's done for next year,” New York manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday. “That's why we waited. He tried because when that decision was made, we knew he was going to be done anyway.”

Scott, 25, began throwing from the mound late last month, but said Wednesday that he was having difficulty with some of his throws.

“I just couldn't get over the hurdle on some of the off-speed pitches. When we started getting over 82, 83 mph, it was kind of the same feeling as before,” Scott said. “I talked to a lot of doctors, a lot of these guys here. We decided this was the best decision going forward.”

Scott will undergo a hybrid version of Tommy John surgery, which will include traditional ligament replacement as well as an internal brace. Dr. Keith Meister will perform the procedure.

The surgery is intended to resolve a long-standing issue for Scott, who missed three weeks last season with a partially torn ligament in his right elbow while posting a 2.57 ERA for three of his affiliate teams and was named the Mets' Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

“Obviously, I love going out and competing and I love doing what I do. This is the best job in the world,” Scott said. “But at the same time, that's why we decided to do this. It's unfortunate, but at the same time, I have to think positive and go out there and be the best version of myself that I can be every day and do everything I can to put my body in a competitive position that I can be in 2026.”

Scott finished 0-3 with a 4.56 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 47⅓ innings in nine starts. He had an impressive major league debut in Tampa Bay in early May.

“It's not good that he's going to be out that long, but you could use this experience as development for him this year,” Mendoza said. “He took over the baseball for us, he gave us a chance, he's continuing to learn and he knows what it takes to be a big league player, what it takes to be a big league pitcher and he just has the understanding of the hard work and everything that comes with it.”

The Mets received mixed news on Wednesday about two more injured starting pitchers. Kodai Senga, who strained his left calf in his only appearance of the season on July 26, said he will pitch for Triple-A Syracuse this weekend.

“I work my ass off and dedicate all my time to this,” Senga said through a translator.

Senga will be eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on September 25. The Mets will not use him out of the bullpen, but could use him for a short start and then as a bulk reliever.

Paul Blackburn, signed from Oakland on July 30 to bolster the Mets' rotation depth, pitched for the first time Wednesday since learning he has a spinal fluid leak. Blackburn, who is on the injured list because he bruised his right hand when he was hit by a comebacker on Aug. 23, said he felt a compression-like sensation during physical activity.

The right-hander has received 10 PRP injections and hopes to return in some capacity next week.

“I want to contribute in any way I can over the last week and a half and hopefully beyond,” Blackburn said.