Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. The Mets and perhaps into next year, with the left-hander set for surgery to repair a torn lat. Minter, speaking for the first time Friday since making the decision to undergo surgery next week, said the procedure comes with a 10-12 month rehab proce s. If all goes well, Minter said he could have a normal-ish spring training and then not be far off when the regular season begins. Phil Rizzuto Jersey But he also noted the surgery nece sary because he tore the lat off the bone on April 26 against the Nationals is rare, so theres not much information to go off. The 31-year-old signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets in the offseason that contains an opt-out after this year. Minters season ended with Atlanta last year with hip surgery in August. He called the injury super frustrating. Mets pitcher A.J. Minter (33) throws in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST I was starting to feel so good, said Minter, who hadnt given up a run in his previous 12 appearances and struck out 13 batters in 10 innings during that stretch. I wish I knew what caused it. Explore More He pointed to an increase in velocity and added range of motion in his hip as po sibilities, but Minters main focus, he said, is getting healthy for 2026. I was excited to help this team, Minter said. Its a special team. Ill help this team next year. Mets pitcher A.J. Minter (33) reacts in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Minters injury, coupled with , leaves the Mets with just one lefty in the pen, Genesis Cabrera. While the Mets top pitching prospect, Brandon Sproat, has been inconsistent at Triple-A Syracuse this season, the organizations next-best minor league pitcher got off to a promising start at Triple-A on Friday as Nolan McLean to sed seven scorele s innings in his debut at that level against Jacksonville, striking out seven. CHECK OUT THE AND The 23-year-old, a third-round pick by the Mets in 2023, had a 1.37 ERA in 26 / innings over five starts with Double-A Binghamton before being promoted. The rotation has thrived, even without several injured starters who are progre sing toward a return. According to Carlos Mendoza, lefty Sean Manaea (oblique) is ready to play catch off a mound and up to 120 feet, while right-hander Frankie Montas is expected to face hitters in live batting practice in about a week for the first time since suffering a lat strain during the spring. Paul Blackburn is slated to start for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and is progre sing well, Mendoza said. Sean Manaea looks for a fan to throw a ball to at Citi Field. JASON SZENES/ NY POST The right-hander sidelined with right knee inflammation is being built up to 70-75 pitches before he returns to the rotation. Dedniel Nez had another shaky outing in . After allowing three runs without getting an out in his first appearance since returning from the forearm tightne s that ended his 2024 season, Nez walked two batters without completing the eighth inning. Hes having a hard time throwing strikes, Mendoza said. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Reed Garrett got Seiya Suzuki on a long flyout to left-center to end the threat. Francisco Lindor was credited with a stolen base from Wednesdays game after the play was originally ruled defensive indifference. And an error charged to Pete Alonso on Monday was changed to a hit for Arizonas Alek Thomas. Ronny Mauricio will have to wait until Saturday to play his first game with Double-A Binghamton after Fridays game was canceled due to inclement weather. Binghamton is set to play Reading on Saturday. In five games with Cla s-A St. Lucie, Mauricio, on a rehab a signment from a torn ACL suffered playing winter ball two offseasons ago, went 2-for-15 with a pair of stolen bases and played second base, third and shortstop Lou Gehrig Jersey