Mets reliever Brooks Raley has been replaced on the USA World Baseball Classic roster due to an injury, Team USA has confirmed.
It is not clear what injury Raley suffered, its severity or how it happened.
The change came just hours before the United States’ first game against Great Britain.
If Raley were to miss time, it would thin out a Mets bullpen that already lacks numerous left-handed options.
The Mets acquired Raley from the Rays in December — sending minor league pitcher Keyshawn Askew back to Tampa Bay — and expected the 34-year-old to fill the 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.
The Mets acquired Brooks Raley from the Rays in December.Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
Brooks Raley was replaced on the United States World Baseball Classic roster by former Met Aaron Loup.Getty Images
Raley will make $4.5 million in 2023 with a club option for the next year worth $6.5 million, according to Spotrac.
Former Mets lefty 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 a career-low 0.95 ERA.
Angels pitcher Aaron Loup, who spent the 2021 season with the Mets, replaced Brooks Raley on the United States WBC roster.Getty Images
During the entire campaign, he also allowed only one home run.
But in the offseason, he signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Angels.
Loup said the Angels tried to “hold it off” as long as possible — hoping a reunion with the Mets would happen — but ultimately concluded he “couldn’t wait any longer.”
Aside from Raley, Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso and Adam Ottavino are the three Mets still on the United States roster.
They will face Great Britain on Saturday, followed by further games against Mexico and Canada over the next two days.