Robert Stock's season is over after the Mets placed him on the injured list on Wednesday, following finger numbness and an MRI that showed poor circulation in his hand. It is the latest setback for a right-hander who had already undergone surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome earlier this season.
The move means Stock will not pitch again this year, with the Mets turning to Xzavion Curry to start Wednesday night against the Orioles at Citi Field in his place. It also came on a busy day for the club, with Daniel Duarte joining him on the injured list because of a left hamstring strain and Jefry Yan being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.
A season interrupted by injury
Stock's injury is significant because it follows a difficult run of health issues. Earlier this season, he had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, and now the finger numbness and circulation problem have brought his year to an early close.
That is a harsh outcome for a pitcher who had tried to build momentum at the major league level. Stock said he believes he has shown enough to belong, noting: “I have proven that my name should be in consideration for being a major league pitcher.”
He also acknowledged the work still ahead. “There are a million things I want to do better,” he said, adding that his dream is “to be an established major league starter and go pitch for the next two decades in Major League Baseball.”
What the MRI showed
The key detail from Wednesday was not simply the numbness in Stock's finger, but what the MRI revealed. According to Stock, the scan showed poor circulation in his hand, even though he said the rest of the imaging looked encouraging.
“Aside from the lack of circulation, my arm, when we got all the other imaging done, it looked great,” he said. “I feel great. I am throwing fast for someone that throws from a low slot and I have no reason to think that will decay anytime soon.”
That leaves the Mets with another decision on a pitching staff that has already been tested. Stock's year ends with a reminder that availability matters as much as performance, especially for a player trying to establish himself.
Another injured-list move for the Mets
Stock was not the only pitcher the Mets lost on Wednesday. Daniel Duarte was also placed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, underlining how quickly the club's pitching depth can be stretched.
For the Mets, the immediate focus now shifts to managing the staff they still have available. For Stock, the bigger question is whether he can turn a frustrating season into a healthier and more stable platform for next year.
