Mets rookie right-hander Christian Scott is set to have Tommy John surgery next week and is expected to miss all of the 2025 season.
Scott has not pitched since July 21 due to a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow but hoped to return this month to help the Mets, who were two games ahead of Atlanta for the last National League playoff spot as of Wednesday night.
“I think it’s safe to say that he’s done for next year,” said New York manager Carlos Mendoza. “That’s why we waited — he gave it a try because if this was the decision, we knew he was going to be done anyway.”
The 25-year-old Scott started throwing off a mound late last month but mentioned on Wednesday that he struggled to increase the speed of his off-speed pitches.
“Just couldn’t get over the hump with some of the off-speed pitches. Once we started to reach that over 82, 83 mph, it’s the same feeling as before,” Scott explained.
“Talked to a lot of the medical staff, a lot of these guys here. We decided this is the best decision moving forward.”
Scott will have a hybrid type of Tommy John surgery, which includes the traditional ligament replacement along with an internal brace. Dr. Keith Meister will perform the operation.
This surgery will address a long-standing issue for Scott, who missed three weeks last season due to a partially torn ligament in his right elbow. He had a 2.57 ERA across three minor league levels and was named the Mets’ minor league pitcher of the year.
“Obviously, I love to go out and compete and I love to do what I do. This is the best job in the world,” Scott said. “But at the same time, this is what we sign up for.
It’s unfortunate, but at the same time, be positive about it and go out and be the best version of myself I possibly can on a day-to-day basis and do everything I can to get my body in a position to compete in ’26.”
