The Mets placed Kranick (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Kranick is recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which he sustained in his only Grapefruit League start back on Feb. 26. It's unclear where Kranick stands in his recovery at this point, but the injury cost him any chance he had of making a case for a back-end spot in the New York rotation. Kranick has a minor-league option remaining, so if the Mets want to have him stay stretched out as a starter, he could be sent to Triple-A Syracuse once he's reinstated from the IL.

Kranick was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Kranick will be shut down for "a while" and will begin the regular season on the injured list. A clearer picture regarding Kranick's return timeline should emerge once he resumes throwing, but the 26-year-old right-hander is officially out of the race for an Opening Day rotation spot.

Kranick struck out two batters over two perfect innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old didn't pitch in the majors at all last season while still in the Pirates' organization, but after being claimed off waivers by the Mets in January, Kranick has a chance to crack the big-league rotation. Monday's outing came against a Washington squad that featured most of its likely Opening Day lineup, but the right-hander will need to keep pitching well this spring to emerge from a pack of arms that includes Tylor Megill, Jose Butto and Joey Lucchesi and seize the fifth starter role.

Kranick will compete for the fifth spot in the Mets' rotation after the injury to Kodai Senga (shoulder), Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Mets' preference is to not rush their top prospects, which leaves Kranick, Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi and Jose Butto battling for the right to fill in for Senga. Realistically, they might all be needed. Acquired via waivers last month, Kranick has held a 5.56 ERA and 36:22 K:BB across nine starts and two relief appearances at the big-league level.

The Mets claimed Kranick off waivers from the Pirates on Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kranick is on the move to a new organization one week after being designated for assignment. The right-hander missed most of 2023 while working his way back from Tommy John surgery but will enter 2024 healthy. He's posted a 5.56 ERA and 36:22 K:BB across nine starts and two relief appearances at the big-league level.

Kranick was designated for assignment Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kranick missed nearly all of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, though he managed to turn in 16.1 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis to close the year. He maintained a solid 2.76 ERA and 0.81 WHIP with a 12:6 K:BB, but he'll have to work his way back up the depth chart with a team this spring. The move made room for Martin Perez on the 40-man roster.

Kranick (elbow) struck out four and gave up one hit and one walk over 2.2 scoreless innings Friday in his rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis.

EDGE Analysis

Kranick was lit up for five earned runs while recording just four outs in his first rehab start for Single-A Bradenton on Aug. 13, but he's bounced back well over his subsequent two outings, striking out six while issuing just one walk in 5.2 innings. The right-hander is working his way back from June 2022 Tommy John surgery and looks as though he's being built back up from a starting role, as he tossed 44 pitches Friday. Kranick will likely make at least two or three more rehab appearances for Indianapolis before the Pirates entertain the possibility of bringing him back from the 60-day injured list.

Kranick (elbow) had his rehab assignment shifted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kranick struggled across two outings and 4.1 innings by allowing five earned runs with Single-A Bradenton. He turned things around a bit in his opening appearance with Indianapolis, allowing only one hit across 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out four and walking one. Kranick is returning from Tommy John surgery, and it's possible that he will be activated from the injured list at some point in September.

Kranick (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton on Sunday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kranick has been working his way back from a Tommy John procedure that he underwent in June 2022, and he is now set to begin the final stage of his rehab process. Kranick will likely require multiple starts in the minors before returning to Pittsburgh, but he could be back by early September if all goes well during his assignment. The 26-year-old righty holds a 5.56 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 43.2 innings across his big-league career.

Kranick (elbow) is on track to begin a rehab assignment early next week with Low-A Bradenton, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kranick is over 14 months removed from Tommy John surgery and should be an option for Pittsburgh's pitching staff around the beginning of September if all goes well on the farm. It's not yet clear whether the Pirates plan to bring him back as a starter or reliever. They could use help in either area of the depth chart.