#Mets’ Robert Gsellman out for season with broken rib

“#Mets’ Robert Gsellman out for season with broken rib”

September 10, 2020 | 3:12am

The Mets thought Robert Gsellman strained an oblique. The official diagnosis is much worse.

Gsellman’s season concluded before the final game for a second straight year, after an MRI exam revealed the right-hander has a fractured rib. Manager Luis Rojas said it’s unclear when the injury occurred.

“I was very surprised, because it’s a rare injury,” Rojas said before the Mets’ 7-6 win over the Orioles on Wednesday at Citi Field.

Gsellman was in discomfort as he departed his relief appearance Tuesday night, prompting Rojas to believe he had strained an oblique. The rib fracture concluded a trying season for Gsellman, who missed most of summer camp with a strained triceps. Last year, Gsellman missed the final six weeks of the season with a lat strain.

In six appearances this season, Gsellman pitched to a 9.64 ERA. He was shifted to the rotation last month and struggled in three of his four starts.

Robert Gsellman is out for the rest of the season because of a broken rib.N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg

“[Tuesday] night he was emotional and it was a tough season for him in those two ways, health-wise and performing-wise,” Rojas said. “We just need ‘G’ to recover and he can come back healthy and strong and come back and perform like we know we can.”

Drew Smith was recalled from the Mets’ alternate training site in Brooklyn to take Gsellman’s roster spot.

Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo and bullpen coach Ricky Bones all wore No. 21 to honor the late Roberto Clemente. All players of Puerto Rican descent throughout MLB were allowed to wear the number.

Diaz, who called Clemente an “inspiration,” was asked if the Hall of Fame outfielder’s number should be retired throughout baseball in the same manner as Jackie Robinson’s No. 42.

Each year, MLB presents the Roberto Clemente Award to baseball’s top humanitarian.

“Obviously in the history of the game there have been a lot of No. 21s, but I think he trumps them all,” Diaz said. “You look at his numbers on the field, but also what he was able to do off the field and how many people he was able to help, not only in Puerto Rico, but in every other country.”

Though Jed Lowrie is eligible for removal from the 45-day injured list, Rojas said he didn’t have any update on the veteran infielder and was unsure if he had been working out.