Drew Smith is back, but perhaps not all the way back.
The Mets activated the reliever on Sunday, but then stayed away from him during a 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks at Citi Field because Carlos Mendoza said they will be “careful” with the righty.
Smith missed nearly six weeks with right shoulder inflammation and was briefly shut down from an initial rehab assignment because he felt a pinch in his shoulder.
“[We need to] really make sure that we put him in a situation where we’re not putting him at risk,” Mendoza said before he used every relief pitcher except Smith and Adrian Houser, with Jake Diekman blowing the save.
Smith pitched Wednesday and Friday with Triple-A Syracuse and thus, Mendoza said, was only available in an “emergency situation” on Sunday, such as an extra-inning game when the bullpen was emptied.
Mendoza said the Mets are “comfortable where [Smith is] at physically.” The 30-year-old was used twice in April on back-to-back days, a usage that Mendoza likely will avoid.
Smith pitched well in March and April, when he logged a 2.70 ERA in 10 games, and his return could be significant for a bullpen that has missed him.
Edwin Diaz is on the 15-day injured list, Brooks Raley is out for the season, Jorge Lopez’s meltdown led to his DFA and an overworked group of relievers has struggled.
Smith projects to help, but the Mets hope not too often.
“We have to be mindful about how we’re going to use him,” Mendoza said.
The Mets are keeping quiet on their new celebration.
After significant hits, Mets batters have looked toward their dugout and slapped the air.
“It’s a team thing,” Tyrone Taylor said. “I can’t speak on it, but it’s a great thing that we have together. It builds team camaraderie.”
Luis Torrens, whom the Mets traded for Friday, made his team debut, caught seven pitchers and went 0-for-2 with a walk.
“Lou is a pretty smart guy,” Mendoza said. “The past couple of days, he’s been very invested in our meetings, talking to [pitching coach Jeremy Hefner] … catching bullpens.
“Feel good with him behind the plate.”
Kodai Senga threw on flat ground again. It is unclear when the rehabbing righty will return to a mound.
In activating Smith, lefty Josh Walker was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
Dedniel Nunez (1 ¹/₃ scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out three) has struck out 18 through his first 10 ²/₃ innings in the majors, which is the most by a Mets reliever through his first seven big-league games.
The recently optioned Brett Baty clubbed a pair of home runs with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday in a 7-1 win over the Buffalo Bisons.
