David Peterson expected to miss start of season following hip surgery

The Mets have announced that left-handed pitcher David Peterson recently underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his left hip.

According to the team, the typical recovery time for this type of procedure is six to seven months.

After showing improvement towards the end of the 2023 season following a rough start, Peterson was expected to be a key player in the Mets’ pitching rotation for 2024. However, his return to the mound will now be delayed.

If the recovery takes six months, Peterson could possibly return in the second week of May. If it takes seven months, he may not be back until after Memorial Day.

President of baseball operations David Stearns previously stated that acquiring starting pitching would be a top priority for the team in the offseason, with plans to bring in two or three new starters.

Stearns also mentioned the possibility of an internal competition in spring training to determine the final spot in the rotation, especially with Peterson sidelined. Possible contenders for this spot include Joey Lucchesi, Jose Butto, and Mike Vasil.

Additionally, there are discussions about transitioning Tylor Megill into a relief role.