Drew Gilbert got here to the Mets as a heralded prospect in the summertime of 2023. All the hope of an enormous season had lengthy since disappeared, with the most important gut-punch coming when the membership determined to commerce two of the sport’s best aces, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.
Gilbert was the brand new hope, the important thing a part of the return for Verlander from the Houston Astros, together with slugger Ryan Clifford, and Luisangel Acuña, who got here from the Scherzer commerce. A yr in the past, with the Mets not anticipated to contend, this trio was a part of a bunch of prospects who took middle stage in Port St. Lucie.
Now, Gilbert’s hope is a day-to-day factor. A hamstring damage worn out a lot of the 2024 season for the 24-year-old outfielder and it has lingered into spring. Gilbert was despatched to minor league camp final week with out showing in a Grapefruit League recreation. It’s not ultimate for a participant that many thought would compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster this yr, however the Mets are being further cautious along with his hamstring.
Gilbert has been collaborating in baseball actions all spring and going by means of common exercises, however his workload has not been exceedingly heavy.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to have good days stacked on top of each other,” Gilbert mentioned. “It’s been 10 long months, to say the least.”
The damage occurred final April when the first-round pick of the College of Tennessee was with Triple-A Syracuse. He returned in July and was reassigned to Syracuse after taking part in six rehab video games in A-ball, however the outcomes weren’t there instantly. Gilbert hit simply .215 with a .706 OPS. Gilbert made up for some misplaced time within the Arizona Fall League, however wasn’t capable of absolutely showcase what he might do.
One of many “Mini Mets,” Gilbert is listed at solely 5-foot-8 however hits as if his stature is taller, much like Acuña and Jett Williams. Nonetheless, the hamstring restricted how he was ready to make use of his legs, diminishing a few of his energy and limiting him from taking further bases. He can really feel the hamstring when he will get as much as high velocity operating the bases or operating within the outfield.
However there’s a lesson on this for a younger participant.
“I probably realized the last time I came back, it’s hard to prove yourself when you’re not fully healthy,” Gilbert mentioned. “I think coming back and not being able to play the whole year, or playing the last couple months not fully healthy, it’s tough, right? Especially with this particular injury. I don’t want to go into a new season still banged up, so I think just trying to get back to 100% is the goal. Even if I want to be out there as bad as I want to be out there, I’d rather be able to showcase my abilities at my maximum capacity.”
The subsequent step in Gilbert’s profession is a big-league call-up. He is aware of he’ll need to push by means of nagging aches and pains in some unspecified time in the future in his profession, however the distinction is figuring out when an damage is extra than simply one thing nagging, and figuring out when it’s one thing extra. Proper now, it’s extra, so Gilbert will proceed to work towards full well being once more and study from this course of with the hopes of being wholesome sufficient to indicate that he’s practically prepared for the Main Leagues.
“It’s frustrating, right? I mean, I said it wasn’t, but, yeah, it’s not fun,” Gilbert mentioned. “But I think you’re always just trying to solve problems. I know it’s not the first time I’m going to have to play through an injury in my career. I don’t want to say you should get used to it because you never get used to playing hurt, but I think there are probably some good lessons I could take from it…
“Do I know what those are? No, not all of them, but I think I’m kind of learning to be thankful for this in the long run.”
GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE RESULTS
The Mets misplaced to the Houston Astros 7-4 in West Palm Seaside. All 4 runs got here off the bat of Donovan Walton, a contender for the Opening Day utility infield spot, who hit a grand slam off right-hander Tayler Scott within the seventh inning. Two of the three gamers he drove in are additionally in competition for that spot, Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña.
Proper-hander Tylor Megill tossed 4 scoreless innings, permitting one hit and one stroll, hanging out 5. A depth starter hoping to interrupt camp with the massive league crew, Megill has a 1.35 ERA over 6 2/3 innings.
Proper-hander Max Kranick improved to eight scoreless innings this spring.
