Mets’ Austin Warren worried about his ‘bread and butter’ as Tommy John fear looms

Mets pitcher Austin Warren’s level of concern is “definitely a 10” after leaving Tuesday’s game with forearm tightness. 

He’s worried about needing Tommy John surgery, saying his elbow is his “bread and butter.”

Warren previously dealt with Tommy John in 2023, but couldn’t compare this injury to his last.

“I’ve had Tommy John before, obviously I don’t want to have it again,” Warren said. “I hope it’s not serious, hopefully it’s just some inflammation from throwing a lot lately.”

Warren entered the game Tuesday against the Royals in the fifth inning, giving up four hits and five runs before being pulled without getting an out in favor of Huascar Brazobán. 

The 30-year-old said he immediately notified the medical team of a forearm issue and had MRIs Wednesday morning. 

With Warren now on the 15-day IL, Mets interim manager Andy Green said it’s a stressful time for Warren, but a roadmap for his recovery should come soon. 

New York Mets pitcher Austin Warren (44) is pulled from the game during the fifth inning when the New York Mets played the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The pitcher has been a rare bright spot for the Mets this season, going 1-3 with a 4.63 ERA over 26 games. 

In 11 appearances in May, the right-hander showed how good he can be with a 1.15 ERA. 

“He has been so good for us in so many different ways, and I know the outing yesterday left a really tough taste in his mouth,” Green said.

Austin Warren #44 of the New York Mets delivers during the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 4, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images

Warren acknowledged the slight downtick in performance Tuesday, but said, all things considered, he didn’t throw that badly against the Royals until the forearm issue started. 

He added there were outings earlier in the season he felt much worse, but the stats ended better. 

To fill Warren’s spot, the Mets have recalled right-hander Tobias Myers and called up right-handed pitcher Xzavion Curry to the active roster.

Myers was sent down to Triple-A eight days ago after allowing 14 runs in 8 ²/₃ innings in his last four major league outings. 

Green said Myers has to work on finishing at-bats in order to play at the MLB level, but has been impressed with how he “fills up a strike zone.”