NEW YORK — Reliever Drew Smith was activated from the 15-day injured list by the New York Mets on Sunday after recovering from right shoulder inflammation that had sidelined him since April 23.
Smith, a righthander, made five one-inning relief appearances during a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment from May 8-31, four for Triple-A Syracuse and one for Class A Brooklyn.
Smith, 30, is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings over 10 games with the Mets this season.
“We have to be careful and really make sure that we put him in a situation where we’re not putting him at risk,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We feel comfortable where he’s at physically, but he’s a big part of that bullpen. Obviously, we missed him the past few weeks.”
New York optioned left-hander Josh Walker to Triple-A Syracuse.
Mendoza said closer Edwin Díaz has been playing catch. The All-Star right-hander went on the IL on Wednesday because of right shoulder impingement.
