Tylor

Megill

The Mets could have non-tendered Megill, since he’s due to miss all of next season following Tommy John surgery in September, but they’re essentially betting he’ll be worth more than $5 million in 2027, which will be his final season before free agency.

Megill is likely to be sidelined until the 2027 season given the timing of the procedure, which typically carries a 12-14 month recovery timetable. The 30-year-old’s absence is a hit to New York’s starting pitching depth for the rest of the current season and next year as well.

It’s a hit to New York’s rotation and middle relief depth for the rest of the immediate campaign and next season as well considering both would likely be out until 2027 recovering from reconstructive surgeries. A final decision on their next steps should come at some point in the near future, but it sounds like both are facing extended absences.

There wasn’t much of a path for Megill to return to New York as a starter with top prospects Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat excelling at the highest level. However, it’s a hit to the Mets’ pitching depth as he might’ve had a role down the home stretch as a relief weapon. There should be a clearer picture of the 30-year-old right-hander’s future at some point in the coming days.

Megill struggled with his command in Thursday’s outing at Triple-A Syracuse, walking four batters and allowing three runs over four innings. He’ll get one final tune-up there before returning to the Mets in some capacity in early September.

He struck out four and walked four. The Mets are keeping Megill stretched out as a rotation option as he returns from an elbow sprain, but he might wind up in the pen if things go as hoped.

The 30-year-old right-hander punched out four batters on the night, throwing 39 of his 65 total pitches for strikes. He’ll probably need one additional rehab start to get a bit more stretched out before the Mets rush him back into their starting rotation, but it’s coming soon.

Megill will throw another session Sunday. The right-hander has been on the injured list since June 15 with an elbow sprain, and it’s possible he could be an option for the Mets’ pitching staff — maybe even as one who makes starts — before the end of 2025.

The Mets said Megill could return in four or five weeks after he went down with an elbow sprain last month, but this rules him out through mid-August. He might be a reliever when he comes back.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Megill, who was set to take the ball on Friday against the Phillies, will miss at least 4-5 weeks, even in a best-case scenario. The 29-year-old righty told reporters that he isn’t dealing with any structural damage in his elbow and expects to re-start a throwing program within the next week or two once the inflammation subsides. He was tagged for six runs — three earned — over 3 2/3 innings in his last start on Saturday against the Rays. There’s no shortage of intriguing pitching prospects at Triple-A to fill the vacant rotation spot including Nolan McLean, Blade Tidwell or Brandon Sproat. The wild card is sensation Jonah Tong, but he’s still in Double-A. It’ll likely be a short-term stopgap with veterans Frankie Montas (lat) and Sean Manaea (oblique) getting close to returning for their respective season debuts.