The New York Mets announced on Friday that their top prospect, Jett Williams, underwent a right wrist TFCC debridement on Thursday and is expected to be sidelined for approximately 8-10 weeks. Williams last appeared for Double-A Binghamton on April 21 and has been out since due to a wrist injury.
Based on this timeline, Williams is anticipated to return in August. However, any setbacks could potentially extend his absence through the end of the season. The 20-year-old had previously received two cortisone injections in an attempt to avoid surgery, but these failed to fully relieve the pain, leading to the debridement procedure.
Dr. Jesse Morse, a specialist in Sports & Family Medicine, explained that the TFCC supports the twisting motion of the wrist. Williams’ surgery removed damaged tissue and tears, which should alleviate his pain. Morse noted that this type of injury is common and that most athletes make a full recovery.
Jett Williams underwent a right wrist TFCC debridement procedure yesterday with Dr. Donald Sheridan in Scottsdale, AZ. A typical return to game activity for this type of procedure is 8-10 weeks.
— Mets Player Development (@MetsPlayerDev) June 7, 2024
This surgery caps what has been a challenging season for Williams. Prior to his injury, the former first-round pick was hitting .179/.360/.308 over 11 games with Double-A. Despite these struggles, they are not considered significant given the limited sample size.
Nonetheless, the prolonged absence affects Williams’ development. He had expressed aspirations in spring training to debut in the MLB this season, a goal that now seems unattainable due to the surgery. Expectations for Williams were high following a strong 2023, where he posted a .263/.425/.451 line across three levels, showcasing his athleticism at shortstop and center field. His elite speed and mature plate discipline at 19 years old impressed many evaluators.
Despite the difficulties of 2024, Williams remains highly regarded. Baseball America recently updated their Top 100 Prospects list, ranking him as the 32nd-best prospect in baseball and the Mets’ top position player prospect, second only to Christian Scott overall.
If Williams returns in August, he will have limited time before the season concludes. The Mets will likely send him to the Arizona Fall League for additional playing time and development. Regardless of his performance, he is expected to start 2025 at Double-A. Although the surgery delays his MLB debut, Williams’ status as a top prospect remains intact, and he is poised to be a key player for the Mets in the coming years.