Mets Place Robert Stock and Daniel Duarte on IL, Ending Their 2026 Seasons
Published · Updated
Cited: MLB.com, SNY, Yahoo Sports
TL;DR
The New York Mets announced two more key roster moves Wednesday, placing right-handers Robert Stock and Daniel Duarte on the 15-day injured list – effectively ending their 2026 seasons with just 11 games to play. Stock was scheduled to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Baltimore Orioles but was scratched due to numbness in his right fingers, the lingering effect of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) surgery. Duarte strained his left hamstring during Tuesday’s extra-inning loss to Baltimore. The Mets recalled right-hander Xzavion Curry and left-hander Jefry Yan from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the open roster spots.
Why now
The New York Mets announced two more key roster moves Wednesday, placing right-handers Robert Stock and Daniel Duarte on the 15-day injured list – effectively ending their 2026 seasons with just 11 games to play. Stock was scheduled to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Baltimore Orioles but was scratched due to numbness in his right fingers, the lingering effect of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) surgery. Duarte strained his left hamstring during Tuesday’s extra-inning loss to Baltimore. The Mets recalled right-hander Xzavion Curry and left-hander Jefry Yan from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the open roster spots.
Agree / conflict
Loss of a starter and a reliable reliever: Stock (1-3, 5.93 ERA in 8 games/7 starts) and Duarte (2.12 ERA, 2 saves in 24 games) will not pitch again in 2026.,Stock's injury is a complication from TOS surgery: The numbness in his fingers stems from arterial thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he underwent in March 2026. Team doctors have prescribed a circulation medicine, but Stock will not risk an ineffective start.,Duarte's hamstring strain occurred in the 10th inning Tuesday: He nearly collided with catcher Francisco Alvarez during a wild pitch, then finished the inning but was later diagnosed with a left hamstring strain.,Replacement pitchers are both swingmen: Xzavion Curry (3.44 ERA in relief for Mets this year, 3.56 ERA as a starter in Triple-A) got the start Wednesday. Jefry Yan (100 mph lefty but 11 walks in 12.2 IP) adds bullpen depth.,Mets are in last place (69-82; 19.5 GB in NL East) and these moves are evaluation-driven for 2027. The final 11 games will help determine which pitchers stick on next year's roster.,Why this matters for Mets fans: With the season essentially over, the team is giving auditions to Curry and Yan while Stock and Duarte—both of whom could have been part of the 2027 bullpen—must now rehab through the winter.
Takeaway
Stock and Duarte are done for 2026 – fantasy baseball owners and Mets fans should drop them from all rosters.,Watch Curry and Yan in the final 11 games – Curry could earn a bulk-inning role next year; Yan's control is a concern but his velocity is elite.,The Mets are in full evaluation mode – every pitcher who appears these last two weeks will be judged for a potential 2027 role.,Duarte is a buy-low candidate for dynasty leagues – his 2025 was lost to elbow surgery and 2026 ended with a minor hamstrin, but his 2.12 ERA in 2026 shows upside if healthy.
Loss of a starter and a reliable reliever: Stock (1-3, 5.93 ERA in 8 games/7 starts) and Duarte (2.12 ERA, 2 saves in 24 games) will not pitch again in 2026.,Stock's injury is a complication from TOS surgery: The numbness in his fingers stems from arterial thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he underwent in March 2026. Team doctors have prescribed a circulation medicine, but Stock will not risk an ineffective start.,Duarte's hamstring strain occurred in the 10th inning Tuesday: He nearly collided with catcher Francisco Alvarez during a wild pitch, then finished the inning but was later diagnosed with a left hamstring strain.,Replacement pitchers are both swingmen: Xzavion Curry (3.44 ERA in relief for Mets this year, 3.56 ERA as a starter in Triple-A) got the start Wednesday. Jefry Yan (100 mph lefty but 11 walks in 12.2 IP) adds bullpen depth.,Mets are in last place (69-82; 19.5 GB in NL East) and these moves are evaluation-driven for 2027. The final 11 games will help determine which pitchers stick on next year's roster.,Why this matters for Mets fans: With the season essentially over, the team is giving auditions to Curry and Yan while Stock and Duarte—both of whom could have been part of the 2027 bullpen—must now rehab through the winter.
### Background & Context Robert Stock, 36, converted from catcher to pitcher after being drafted by the Cardinals in 2009. He signed a minor league deal with the Mets in 2025 and made the team out of spring training after TOS surgery. His fastball velocity was down from previous seasons, and he had been pitching through finger numbness for several starts. The decision to shut him down now rather than risk further injury was mutual between Stock and the club. Stock said, "I’m not worried about my hand. We are testing to see if this medicine is going to work."
Daniel Duarte, who missed all of 2025 after elbow surgery, had been a bright spot in the Mets' late-inning relief corps. His 2.12 ERA over 28.2 innings made him a candidate for a setup role in 2027. The hamstring strain is not considered serious (interim manager Andy Green called it a “tough loss for the last two weeks”), but with only games left the team opted to IL him rather than push.
### Data-Driven Trends - The Mets have used 37 different pitchers this season (MLB average ~30), reflecting their injury-riddled year. - Curry has been optioned five times this season, making him a “taxi-squad” arm. Wednesday was his first start of 2026. - Yan's 100+ mph fastball is elite, but his 7.8 BB/9 makes him unpredictable.
### What This Means for the Mets' 2027 Plans Both Stock and Duarte are under club control via arbitration or team options. Stock's TOS history is a red flag; pitchers who undergo TOS surgery often struggle to regain full health. Duarte's hamstring is minor, but the Mets will evaluate his durability. The final 11 games are an extended tryout for Curry (age 28) and Yan (age 28) to see if they can fill middle-inning roles in 2027.
### Sources - <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/robert-stock-daniel-duarte-placed-on-injured-list?ref=yanuki.com" target="_blank">MLB.com: Mets place RHP Stock, Duarte on IL</a> - <a href="https://sny.tv/articles/mets-robbert-stock-daniel-duarte-il?ref=yanuki.com" target="_blank">SNY: Mets place Robert Stock and Daniel Duarte on IL amid flurry of roster moves</a> - <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mets-announce-4-sudden-roster-220915795.html?ref=yanuki.com" target="_blank">Yahoo Sports: Mets Announce 4 Sudden Roster Decisions Before Orioles Series Finale</a>
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FAQ
Will Stock and Duarte be ready for 2027 spring traning?
Stock's TOS recovery is uncertain; he will need the off-season to see if the circulation medication resolves the numbness. Duarte's hamstrin is minor and he is expected to be fully healed by February.
Who is Xzavion Curry and why did he get the start?
Curry, 28, is a swingman who signed a minor league deal in May 2026 after pitching in Mexico. He had a 3.44 ERA in relief for the Mets this year and made 12 starts at Triple-A (3.56 ERA). He was the only stretched-out arm on the 40-man roster.
What happened to Daniel Duarte on Tuesday night?
In the 10th inning of a 7-5 loss to the Orioles, Duarte threw a wild pitch that allowed a run. As catcher Francisco Alvarez thred to the plate, Duarte jumped for the throw and landed awkwardly, straining his left hamstrin. He finished the inning but was limping.
Did Stock consider pitching through the injury?
Yes, Stock tried a circulation medication before the game, but he decided it would be unfair to the team to start if the medicine wasn't guaranteed to work, especially after the bullpen had been taxed in previous days.
Are the Mets out of playoff contention?
Yes, the Mets are 69-82 and 19.5 games back in the NL East with 11 games left, mathematically eliminated from postseason play. These roster moves are purely for evaluation for 2027.
Sources
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