New York Mets right-hander Robert Stock saw his 2026 campaign come to a premature close Wednesday when the club placed him on the injured list, though the diagnosis brought a measure of relief alongside the disappointment. An MRI revealed compromised circulation in his pitching hand, a condition the 36-year-old journeyman is now managing with medication.
The move caps a difficult season for Stock, who underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome earlier this year. He was scratched from his scheduled start against the Baltimore Orioles after the organization determined the risk of taxing the bullpen was too great if he was not physically right. Right-hander Xzavion Curry was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the rotation spot.
Stock finishes the year with a 5.93 ERA across eight appearances, including seven starts. Despite the results, he remained defiant about his future in the game.
“I have proven that my name should be in consideration for being a major league pitcher,” Stock said before the Mets’ 7-1 loss to the Orioles at Citi Field. “There are a million things I want to do better.”
A career journeyman, Stock described pitching for the Mets as a “dream come true,” but emphasized his ambitions extend far beyond a single opportunity.
“It’s my dream to be an established major league starter and go pitch for the next two decades in Major League Baseball,” Stock said. “To do that requires an absurd amount of work and success and this was a half-step in what is 50 steps.”
Stock insisted he did not misspeak regarding his timeline. Further imaging on his arm returned clean results, reinforcing his belief that his velocity and stuff from a low arm slot remain sustainable.
“Aside from the lack of circulation, my arm, when we got all the other imaging done, it looked great,” Stock 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.”
In a separate move, the Mets placed right-handed reliever Daniel Duarte on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. Duarte had posted a 2.12 ERA in 24 appearances this season. Left-hander Jefry Yan was recalled from Syracuse to take his roster spot.
On a brighter note for the organization, rookie outfielder Carson Benge continued his historic season. With a home run Tuesday, Benge joined Gregg Jefferies (1989) as the only rookies in franchise history to record at least 40 extra-base hits and 20 stolen bases in a single campaign. Benge entered Wednesday with 18 home runs, 19 doubles, three triples, and 22 stolen bases.