The New York Mets faced a disappointing defeat against the Arizona Diamondbacks, bringing their record to 21-10. A narrow ninth-inning effort fell short, compounded by the Philadelphia Phillies' win against the Washington Nationals, narrowing the Mets' divisional lead to 3.5 games. Adding to their woes, relief pitcher Danny Young has been placed on the injured list with a potential Tommy John surgery looming due to an elbow injury sustained in a previous game. The news could sideline Young for the remainder of the season and beyond.

The New York Mets faced an emotional rollercoaster in their recent game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where Brandon Waddell made a triumphant return after nearly four years, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings. Unfortunately, a late meltdown by Ryne Stanek, who blew his third straight save, resulted in a narrow 4-3 defeat for the Mets. Despite having opportunities, the Mets failed to capitalize, finishing 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Waddell's performance stood out, especially considering he previously struggled in his major league career. His outing provided hope for a Mets team that had shown offensive prowess earlier in the week, averaging over 11 runs in their previous games. However, Stanek’s inability to close the game overshadowed Waddell’s achievement as the Mets search for consistency on the mound.

The New York Mets boast the top pitching staff in Major League Baseball, leading the league with a 2.60 ERA and limiting opponents to a .228 batting average. Despite their success, the team has faced challenges with injuries to key pitchers Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea. Manager Carlos Mendoza has had to adjust the lineup, including using Huascar Brazobán as an opener ahead of left-hander Brandon Waddell, who is returning to MLB after stints abroad and in the minors. Brazobán's impressive stats feature a 1.56 ERA this season and he looks to maintain momentum against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Carlos Mendoza, the Mets manager, expressed optimism about Juan Soto's performance despite him going hitless in a recent game. Soto's hard contact, including two lineouts exceeding 100 mph, suggests he is on the verge of a breakout. His previous series against the Nationals saw him excel, hitting six times in 15 at-bats, and Mendoza believes Soto is improving his approach at the plate. The Mets' lineup has been bolstered by the returns of Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez, both instrumental in their recent offensive surge.

With the Mets averaging 4.8 runs per game and showcasing depth with players like Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor, Mendoza feels the team can maintain this momentum. He acknowledges that while their recent success is encouraging, consistency is key in Major League Baseball, emphasizing the difficulty of hitting at such high levels.

A.J. Minter's return remains uncertain as he faces a potential season-ending surgery on his lat injury. Manager Carlos Mendoza provided an update following Minter's latest MRI, indicating that further imaging is required to assess the situation. The Mets bullpen, sporting a solid 3.04 ERA, now faces the challenge of compensating for Minter's absence as he has been a key player with a 1.64 ERA and 14 strikeouts in just 11 innings.

The depth of the bullpen is being tested, but Mendoza remains optimistic, stating other pitchers will step up in Minter's place. Right-handed pitchers are also considered viable options against left-handed batters, as they have had success in matchups. The Mets have also recently re-signed Brooks Raley, who could bolster the bullpen later this season. Meanwhile, Paul Blackburn is making strides in his recovery from knee inflammation, and Brandon Nimmo is feeling better after an illness.