What Happened to Alex Jordan Minter?
A.J. Minter is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played for the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets. After a successful tenure with the Braves, including a World Series championship in 2021, Minter has faced significant injury setbacks since 2024, including hip and lat surgeries. He signed with the New York Mets in 2025 and, despite further injury delays, returned to the mound in May 2026 and is currently a subject of trade interest.
Quick Answer
A.J. Minter, a left-handed relief pitcher, is currently playing for the New York Mets. His career has been significantly impacted by injuries in recent years, undergoing left hip labral repair surgery in August 2024 and season-ending left lat surgery in May 2025. After exercising his player option for 2026, he faced further delays due to rehab and hip discomfort but was activated in late May 2026. As of July 2026, Minter is pitching for the Mets and is reportedly drawing trade interest from other MLB teams.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Drafted by Atlanta Braves
A.J. Minter was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the MLB draft after playing college baseball at Texas A&M University.
MLB Debut with Atlanta Braves
Minter made his Major League Baseball debut for the Atlanta Braves.
First MLB Player to Start Postseason Debut
Minter made history by becoming the first MLB player ever to make his starting debut in a postseason game during Game 5 of the 2020 NLCS.
Wins World Series with Braves
Minter was part of the Atlanta Braves team that won the 2021 World Series, their first title since 1995.
Career-Best Season
Minter posted a career-best 2.06 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 70 innings over 75 games for the Braves.
Undergoes Left Hip Labral Repair Surgery
After dealing with left hip impingement throughout the season, Minter underwent surgery, effectively ending his 2024 season with the Braves.
Signs with New York Mets
Minter signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the New York Mets, including an opt-out after the 2025 season.
Undergoes Season-Ending Left Lat Surgery
After just 13 appearances for the Mets, Minter suffered a torn left lat muscle that required season-ending surgery.
Exercises Player Option for 2026
Minter exercised his $11 million player option to return to the New York Mets for the 2026 season.
Placed on 15-day Injured List for Lat Rehab
The Mets placed Minter on the 15-day injured list to continue his rehab from left lat surgery, indicating he would miss the start of the season.
Rehab Assignment Halted by Hip Discomfort
During his rehab assignment, Minter reported left hip discomfort, temporarily delaying his return to the Mets.
Activated from IL, Makes 2026 Season Debut
Minter was activated from the 60-day injured list and made his 2026 season debut for the New York Mets, pitching a scoreless inning.
Subject of Trade Interest
With the MLB trade deadline approaching, Minter is reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams as the Mets look to be sellers.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Alex Jordan Minter, known as A.J. Minter, established himself as a prominent left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2015 MLB draft, he made his MLB debut in 2017. Minter was a key component of the Braves' bullpen for several seasons, notably contributing to their 2021 World Series championship. His 2022 season was particularly strong, where he posted a 2.06 ERA with a career-high 94 strikeouts across 70 innings pitched in 75 games.
The 2024 season marked the beginning of a challenging period for Minter. While he finished with a respectable 2.62 ERA in 39 games for the Braves, underlying hip issues plagued his performance, affecting his velocity and pitch movement. He was placed on the injured list in late May and again in mid-August, eventually undergoing left hip labral repair surgery in August 2024, which effectively ended his season. Following the 2024 season, Minter became a free agent.
In January 2025, Minter signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the New York Mets, which included a player option for the 2026 season. His tenure with the Mets, however, was immediately hampered by another significant injury. After just 13 appearances in which he recorded a 1.64 ERA, Minter left a game in late April 2025 due to triceps soreness, which was later diagnosed as a torn left lat muscle requiring season-ending surgery in May 2025. The recovery timeline for this injury was estimated at 10-12 months.
Despite the extensive rehab, Minter exercised his $11 million player option to return to the Mets for the 2026 season in November 2025. His return to the mound in 2026 was again delayed, as he started spring training behind other pitchers and was placed on the 15-day injured list. He began a rehab assignment in April 2026 but experienced left hip discomfort in early May, temporarily halting his progress. Minter was eventually activated from the 60-day injured list and made his 2026 season debut for the Mets on May 26, throwing a scoreless inning.
As of July 31, 2026, Minter has been an active member of the Mets' bullpen. Through 22 appearances, he has posted a 1-1 record with a 2.45 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 22.0 innings pitched. With the Mets struggling in the 2026 season, Minter, who is on an expiring contract, has become a popular trade candidate ahead of the August 3 trade deadline, with multiple teams reportedly showing interest in the veteran left-hander.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Alex Jordan Minter made different choices?