Mets reliever Brooks Raley has been replaced on the United States’ World Baseball Classic roster due to an injury, the Team USA confirmed.
It’s unclear what injury Raley sustained, along with its severity or how it occurred.
The switch occurred just hours before the United States’ first game against Great Britain.
If Raley misses time, it would thin a Mets bullpen that already lacks a plethora of left-handed options.
The Mets acquired Raley from the Rays in December — sending minor-league pitcher Keyshawn Askew back to Tampa Bay in return — and hoped the 34-year-old could fill a void late in games.
Raley went 1-2 last season with a career-best 2.68 ERA, appearing in 60 games, striking out 61 batters and walking 15.
Raley will make $4.5 million in 2023 with a club option for the following year worth $6.5 million, according to Spotrac.
Former Mets left-handed reliever Aaron Loup replaced Raley on the United States’ roster.
Loup, now with the Angels, appeared in 65 games for the Mets in 2021 and finished with a 6-0 record and career-low 0.95 ERA.
He only allowed one home run throughout the entire campaign, too.
But that offseason, he signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Angels.
Loup later said he tried to “stall” the Angels as much as possible — hoping for a reunion with the Mets to emerge — but eventually concluded he “couldn’t wait around any longer.”
With Raley’s removal, Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso and Adam Ottavino are the three Mets who remain on the United States’ roster.
They’ll face Great Britain on Saturday, with additional games following the next two days against Mexico and Canada.