

ATLANTA — On the precipice of getting their starting rotation fully healthy, the Mets have lost their second starter in the last week. Right-hander Tylor Megill was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow sprain on Tuesday. Megill will miss at least the next month.
Megill felt “pulling” in his elbow, especially on breaking balls, in Saturday’s start against the Rays. A subsequent MRI revealed inflammation but no structural damage in his elbow. He’ll take the next seven to 10 days off from throwing to allow the inflammation to subside before being reevaluated.
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“Obviously I want to be healthy and make every start I can,” said Megill, who owns a 3.96 ERA on the season. “It really affected my stuff. I’m glad to know what it was…. Considering all things elbow-related, this is probably the best outcome.”
The timing is challenging for the Mets. New York is coming off its first series sweep of the season, losing all three over the weekend at home to Tampa Bay. Kodai Senga, who has been their best starter this season, hit the IL with a low-grade hamstring strain last week and is also expected to miss at least a month. Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea, who have been out since spring training, are both on rehab assignments but not quite ready to return.
That leaves the Mets short-handed right now while they’re playing 13 straight days — including 10 in a row against their traditional NL East rivals, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Paul Blackburn will fill in for Senga on Wednesday against last year’s NL Cy Young winner, Chris Sale. The Mets now need a spot starter for Megill on Friday — against last year’s NL Cy Young runner-up, Zack Wheeler.
At Triple-A Syracuse, Blade Tidwell and Justin Hagenman have pitched in bulk for the Mets this season and would be rested for Friday. Brandon Waddell, who’s been up with the big club in multiple occasions in multiple roles, can only be recalled Friday if another player goes on the IL between now and then. Prospects Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean could also be options, though neither is yet on the 40-man roster.
Ideally, Montas would make it cleanly through his final rehab start for Syracuse on Wednesday and take over Megill’s spot the next time through. Manaea is making his next rehab start Friday.
(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Images)
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