Jankowski undergoes metacarpal surgery
NEW YORK — Travis Jankowski underwent surgery Friday on a fourth metacarpal fracture on his left hand, the Mets announced.
He fractured his ring finger while making a diving catch in left field against the Giants on Wednesday. He is on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 26, but the timeline for this type of injury is generally 6 to 8 weeks, the Mets said. In addition to Jankowski’s IL placement, the Mets made a series of other roster moves.
Left-hander Thomas Szapucki was optioned to Triple-a Syracuse, while right-handers Yoan Lopez and Stephen Nogosek were recalled from Syracuse. Lopez was suspended by Major League Baseball for three games for what it decided were intentional pitches thrown at Kyle Schwarber on May 1.
But none of Lopez’s pitches actually hit Schwarber. He appealed his suspension and got it knocked down to one game, which he served Friday against the Phillies.
Jankowski, a journeyman after playing five seasons with the Padres from 2015-19, is a key depth outfielder for the Mets. General manager Billy Eppler picked him up as a free agent in March, one week into spring training.
Without him the club will rely heavily on its big-league outfield depth, such as Jeff Mcneil, as well as look within for possible promotions.
“He’ll be back, but it’s a loss of a very useful player for us,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said of Jankowski. “Don’t want to lessen it from our standpoint . ... Travis did a lot of things for us.”
The Mets are likely to call up outfielder Nick Plummer from Triple-a Syracuse. Plummer was not in Syracuse’s lineup Friday, and Showalter mentioned him multiple times when asked about his outfield depth.
Plummer played in two games for the Mets last month against the Diamondbacks.
Bullpen check: Tylor Megill (right biceps tendinitis) is on his way back from the IL after he completed another key item on his rehab checklist.
Megill got back on the mound and threw a bullpen Thursday, which was his first time throwing off the mound since he landed on the IL on May 15.
First, the Mets will make sure Megill’s arm still feels good following his bullpen session. Then his next step will be live batting practice, followed by one or two minor-league rehab outings.
Update on Jake: Jacob degrom once again threw on flat ground Friday at Citi Field. He has received permissioned from the Mets medical team and coaches to increase his velocity and distance as he throws, which has put him around 90 to 105 feet.
Degrom is not expected to throw a bullpen this weekend or at any point during the Mets’ six-game homestand against the Phillies and Nationals. But he will join the Mets on their upcoming two-week road trip against the Dodgers, Padres and Angels next week when they return to the West Coast.
It is likely that degrom will ramp up to his next step, getting back on the mound and throwing a bullpen for the first time since he was injured in spring training nearly two months ago, during the team’s road trip that gets underway June 2.