New York Mets' Bullpen Candidate Suffers Strained Lat

The Mets' pitching staff has suffered another injury.

Bullpen candidate Sam Coonrod has been diagnosed with a high grade strain of his right lat, as the Mets told reporters on Wednesday.

The Mets have not put a timetable on Coonrod's recovery. 

Coonrod was having a strong Spring Training, tossing five shutout innings with seven strikeouts. 

Coonrod, 30, was competing for a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, but will now be sidelined for quite sometime.

The righty dealt with a shoulder strain last March with the Phillies. He did not make his season debut with the team until August of last season. Coonrod posted a 7.82 ERA in 12 appearances with the Phillies before they designated him for assignment in January.

Although his 2022 campaign was disappointing, Coonrod posted a 4.04 ERA in 42 games for the Phillies the year prior.

The Mets are hoping when Coonrod gets healthy that he can contribute to their bullpen in 2023.

With Coonrod out, Tommy Hunter, Jimmy Yacabonis, John Curtiss, Jeff Brigham, Stephen Ridings, Elieser Hernandez and T.J. McFarland continue to fight for spots in the Mets' bullpen.