Mets' Christian Scott to undergo Tommy John surgery, internal brace procedure

Mets right-handed pitcher Christian Scott will undergo a hybrid Tommy John surgery and internal brace procedure early next week.

The news was announced by Scott’s agent, Nate Heisler.

News: New York Mets RHP Christian Scott (@chscott8) will undergo a combined traditional TJ ligament replacement along with the internal brace, what is known as a hybrid procedure, performed by Dr. Keith Meister, early next week.

We look forward to supporting him through his…

— Nate Heisler (@Nate_Heisler) September 18, 2024

Scott, 25, was placed on the injured list on July 23 with a UCL sprain, and had recently been throwing off the mound, including bullpen sessions. He had previously expressed confidence in being able to return to game action at some point this season.

However, Scott told reporters that he and the training staff came to the conclusion for surgery in part because he wasn't able to "get over the hump" with his off-speed pitches.

"Once we started to reach that 82-83 mph range it was kind of the same feeling as before so I talked to a lot of the medical staff, I trust these guys here so we decided this was the best decision going forward," he said.

Even as Scott attempted to work his way back this season, the possibility existed that Tommy John surgery would be the eventual outcome.

"It sucks, obviously. I love to go out and compete and I love to do what I do," Scott said on Wednesday. "This is the best job in the world so, yeah it sucks, but at the same time it’s what we signed up for. It’s unfortunate, but at the same time be positive about it and go out and be the best version of myself on a day-to-day basis and do everything I can to get my body in a position to compete in 2026.

"I’m excited about the process that we’re gonna go ahead and attack full on and take it day-by-day."

Although the right-hander will be having the procedure this month and could potentially be able to return toward the end of the 2025 season, he said the most likely timeline for his return is in 2026 -- barring any setbacks.

While traditional Tommy John surgery typically keeps a pitcher out for 12 months or more, the internal brace procedure is designed to shorten that recovery time, and athletes can typically return to throwing around six months after the procedure.

While Scott's elbow has plagued him on and off dating back to last season which caused him to miss some time in the minors, the right-hander remained hopeful that he wouldn't need surgery, saying it never crossed his mind when he was on the mound.

"After last year I was generally optimistic about this process and for me to be able to have success this way," he said. "Being able to rebound last year gave me good hope for this process this time. I just couldn’t get over the hump with the off-speed pitches this time.

"My job is to be the best teammate I possibly can be and also get myself as healthy as I possibly can so really just focused on those two things right now."

He continued: "Every time I go out there and if I feel like I can pitch, I’m gonna go pitch to the best of my ability and to do this at a high level you have to be completely focused on what you’re doing on the mound.

"So, even after last year when I was dealing with it I’d go out and I didn’t notice it at all or think about it at all so whenever I go out and compete, that’s all I’m really focused on doing. If it goes, it goes right? There’s not much – you’re gonna worry about it all you want, but at some point if it happens, it happens and worrying about it is not gonna do anything."

A fifth-round pick in 2021, Scott was called up to make his MLB debut on May 4 against Tampa Bay, allowing one earned run in 6.2 innings while striking out six.

In nine starts with the Mets this season, Scott pitched to a 4.56 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 47.1 innings.

And although his first season in the majors was cut short, the rookie was grateful for the opportunity and learned a lot.

"I learned so much," he said. "A lot of the veterans here, being able to have a lot of the guys on this staff help guide me through this part, I’m super lucky, super blessed to have a lot of these guys in the clubhouse.

"It’s a great group of guys, I’m super lucky to have my first year here. I’m just soaking in as much information as I possibly can from these guys and I’m just super grateful for the opportunity that they gave me."

As for Scott's future? The 25-year-old isn't looking too far ahead just yet, instead taking it day-by-day.

"It’s a long way away so I’m gonna take each day as it comes," he said. "I’m not focused on the future right now, I’m not focused on anything really past tomorrow. I’m just focused on the day-to-day and to be the best version of myself and continue to be myself on a day-to-day basis and it’ll work out… I love to do what I do and this is part of the job so I’m gonna go out and do that to the best of my ability."