Mets’ Smith likely headed for 2nd elbow surgery
NEW YORK — An emotional Drew Smith acknowledged his future with the New York Mets is uncertain Friday, when the right-handed reliever and impending free agent said he will likely need a second reconstructive surgery on his elbow.
Smith went on the injured list with a right elbow sprain Tuesday, two days after he exited after getting two outs in the ninth inning of a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs because he had a hard time getting loose. The 30-year-old was pressed into action and tried warming up on the field after closer Edwin Diaz was ejected for having an illegal substance on his hand.
Smith said an MRI revealed “…some pretty significant damage.” He is scheduled for a second opinion with Dr. Keith Meister but said he expects to undergo either Tommy John surgery or UCL repair with an internal brace. Smith missed the 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“Just sucks, you know?” said Smith, whose voice broke as tears formed in his eyes as he spoke before the Mets’ series opener against the Houston Astros. “My second one. Been with the Mets for a long time and I love this organization. They’ve done a lot for me. And obviously, going into free agency, it’s a tough time for this to happen. There’s never a good time for it to happen, but this really stings.”
Smith, who spent five weeks on the injured list with a sore right shoulder earlier this season, said he began feeling stiffness in the elbow while pitching against the Cubs on June 21. He felt better Saturday but said the discomfort returned quickly Sunday night.
“I kind of knew something was going on and I just tried to pitch through it,” Smith said. “I don’t think the warmup had anything to do with the outcome. I think it was already kind of decided.”
Smith was 1-1 with two saves and a 3.06 ERA this season and is 12-13 with a 3.48 ERA and five saves in 191 career games, all with the Mets. He was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Lucas Duda on July 27, 2017, and debuted on June 23, 2018, making him the second-longest tenured player on the team behind left fielder Brandon Nimmo.
“Not good news — it’s hard, obviously, because of who he is not only as a player but as a person, what he means to this organization,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “This is a professional. He went down early in the year, got back and was always available, always wanted to take the ball, always wanted to help the team.”
Smith is the fourth key Mets reliever on the shelf. Díaz is two games into a 10-game suspension for his ejection while Sean Reid-Foley was placed on the injured list last Saturday with a right shoulder impingement. Left-hander Brooks Raley is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace procedure on May 29.
“We’re going to need guys to step up,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said.
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Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim on a three-year, $12.5 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday.
Kim, 25, was posted by the Kiwoom Heroes on Dec. 5, marking Friday as a deadline to sign with a major league team. He’s known an an elite defender at multiple positions as he played second base, shortstop, third base and in the outfield for the Heroes over his eight-year run with the team.
His current fit with the Dodgers could be as a super utility player, depending on what other moves the team makes this winter. Kim is a career .304 hitter with 37 home runs and 211 stolen bases in 953 games while playing in the KBO. His speed alone can affect games, especially with the newer MLB rules that put an emphasis on base stealing.
The deal includes team options for 2028 and 2029, while the Dodgers also have to pay a $2.5 million release fee to Kiwoom. Per rules, the release fee is 20% of the total package.
LOS ANGELES — Teoscar Hernández will be in right field for the Los Angeles Dodgers next season when the World Series champions try to defend their title.
The outfielder was at Dodger Stadium on Friday after agreeing to rejoin the team on a $66 million, three-year contract.
“I had my mind clear that I wanted to come back and I was going to do anything in my power to make it work and be back with the Dodgers,” Hernández said.
He played last season on a $23.5 million, one-year deal and proved his value by becoming an All-Star and winning the Home Run Derby along with a third career Silver Slugger, which earned him a $1 million bonus. He capped it all by helping the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.
Hernández said he had offers from other teams that would have gotten him an additional $5 million to $6 million.
“For me, money wasn’t an issue,” he said.
Hernández’s deal comes with a $23 million signing bonus. The Dodgers hold a club option of $15 million for 2028 with a $6.5 million buyout. The contract also features $23.5 million in deferred money.
He called the Dodgers “different” than other teams.
“They give me the confidence. I didn’t get that really in other places,” Hernández said. “They trust me in everything that I can give them. That was one of the biggest things for me, that pushed me to do the best job that I can do in a Dodgers uniform.”
Manager Dave Roberts welcomed the return of Hernández.
“It’s not just about getting the most talented players. You’ve got to be good on the field and you’ve got to play the game a certain way,” he said. “What that does is it makes people around you better, it holds teammates accountable. For us, Teo checked every single box.”
Hernández hit a career-high 33 home runs and drove in 99 runs last season. The 32-year-old hit .272 in 154 games.
“He always put the team first and you could see that there was a real love of the game that he brought to the field each and every day,” general manager Brandon Gomes said. “I do think because of the way he plays with such passion and joy, when those big moments came up, it was something that he really cherished and was able to put the team first and slow the heartbeat down and do whatever was needed in that situation.”
Hernández will be in right field with Mookie Betts moving back to shortstop. Newcomer Michael Conforto will be in left.
Hernández was embraced by Dodgers fans and their support didn’t go unnoticed.
“I appreciate since the first day that I got here Dodgers fans were cheering for me,” he said. “They were giving me the support that I need to have the season that I have last year. When you have that support as a player, you have to give 110 percent every day.”
Information from The Associated Press and Field Level Media was used in this report.
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