As reporters gathered around the conference room at Clover Park, news broke that the Mets had agreed to bring back right-hander Drew Smith. Manager Carlos Mendoza, who was taking questions from reporters at the time, couldn’t confirm the news, but he did offer some words regarding what Smith means to the team.

When reliever Drew Smith tore the UCL in his right elbow last June, he expressed profound sadness at the idea that he may have thrown his final pitch for the Mets. Turns out he needn’t have worried. T

Smith has never been a star, but he’s been a reliable piece of the puzzle. His career 3.48 ERA is proof of that, and in 2024, before his injury, he showed more of the same—posting a 3.06 ERA in 17.2 innings. When healthy, he’s a solid mid-90s arm that can get outs in the majors.