Matt Allan, a New York Mets prospect, made his long-awaited return to the mound on Sunday after a six-year hiatus due to injuries and the pandemic. The 24-year-old right-hander, who had not pitched since 2019, threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Class A St. Lucie, striking out five batters and reaching speeds of 95-97 mph with his fastball. His journey back has been filled with adversity, including three major surgeries—two Tommy John surgeries and a nerve surgery—but his perseverance has paid off. Allan’s remarkable comeback is a testament to his resilience and talent, reaffirming why the Mets drafted him in 2019…..

 

Matt Allan’s Triumphant Return: A Six-Year Journey of Grit, Recovery, and Redemption

 

On a warm Sunday afternoon in Florida, the crack of the catcher’s mitt echoed through the stadium as Matt Allan fired a 97-mph fastball past yet another bewildered batter. For most pitchers in the low minors, this would be just another outing. For Allan, it was nothing short of a resurrection.

 

It had been nearly six years since the New York Mets’ once-prized pitching prospect had taken the mound in a professional game. Now 24, Allan returned to live competition with Class A St. Lucie, hurling 2 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out five, and flashing the electric stuff that had made him one of baseball’s most promising arms before injuries derailed his ascent.

 

The long road back included two Tommy John surgeries, a nerve transposition procedure, and an immeasurable amount of mental and physical rehabilitation. But through it all, Allan never lost sight of the dream that began when the Mets selected him in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft, luring him away from a commitment to the University of Florida with a $2.5 million signing bonus.

 

The Phenomenon That Was

 

Back in 2019, Allan’s name was on the radar of every major league scout. The 6-foot-3 right-hander from Seminole High School in Florida had the build, the mechanics, and a three-pitch arsenal that projected frontline potential. He showcased a fastball that touched 97 mph, a knee-buckling curve, and a promising changeup. Many projected him to be a first-round pick, but concerns over signability caused him to slip to the third round.

 

The Mets pounced, offering Allan a record-setting bonus for a third-rounder. They believed they had secured a future ace—a homegrown hurler who could one day dominate the National League.

 

But fate had other plans.

 

The Fall into Darkness

 

Allan made his professional debut shortly after the draft, pitching 10.1 innings in the Gulf Coast and New York-Penn Leagues, showing flashes of brilliance. Then came 2020, and with it, the COVID-19 pandemic, which wiped out the entire minor league season. While many prospects used the down time to train or rehab minor ailments, Allan began to feel discomfort in his elbow.

 

In early 2021, he underwent his first Tommy John surgery, a common but career-altering procedure that sidelined him for the entire season. As he began ramping up in early 2022, he felt a setback—something didn’t feel right. A second Tommy John surgery was required, effectively wiping out another season and putting serious doubts around his long-term durability.

 

To compound matters, Allan developed ulnar nerve issues during his recovery. A nerve transposition surgery in 2023 made it three major operations in less than three years.

 

Through it all, Allan remained largely out of the spotlight. Unlike many of his draft peers who climbed the minor league ladder or made MLB debuts, he became a question mark, an afterthought to some. But those close to him—trainers, coaches, family—knew the fire never left him.

 

A Comeback Written in Sweat

 

Returning from a single Tommy John surgery is a daunting process. Doing it twice, along with a nerve procedure, is nearly unheard of—especially for someone who hadn’t thrown in a professional game since age 19. Yet Allan never wavered.

 

He approached his recovery like he would a batter: methodically, pitch by pitch. Months turned into years. Bullpen sessions became live batting practice. Slowly, the velocity returned. The sharpness of his curveball reemerged. His confidence started to grow.

 

When the Mets announced earlier this year that Allan was preparing for live games in extended spring training, few outside the organization paid attention. But inside the Mets’ front office and player development system, there was excitement—and awe.

 

“No one would’ve blamed him if he’d walked away,” said one Mets scout. “What he’s done is beyond impressive. It’s inspirational.”

 

The Return

 

On May 26, 2025, in a modest ballpark in Port St. Lucie, Matt Allan finally returned. Wearing the uniform of the St. Lucie Mets, he jogged out to the mound with purpose and poise. He struck out five batters over 2 2/3 innings, gave up just one hit, and walked none. His fastball consistently clocked between 95-97 mph, and his curveball bit hard, inducing ugly swings.

 

After the final out, Allan walked off the mound to a standing ovation from the crowd and teammates alike. There were no national broadcasts or press conferences, just quiet respect from those who understood the magnitude of what he had achieved.

 

“It felt like my debut all over again,” Allan said postgame. “Just being out there—competing, feeling the ball in my hand, trusting my body—it meant everything.”

 

What’s Next

 

The road ahead is still uncertain. Allan will remain on a carefully monitored schedule, likely pitching in short stints as the Mets assess his durability and progress. The team will take no chances—his arm is precious, and patience remains the theme.

 

But even if Allan never throws another pitch, Sunday’s performance was a monumental victory. It was proof that hope is never foolish, that hard work pays off even when the world forgets your name.

 

Still, the Mets believe this is just the beginning. They drafted Allan because they saw a future rotation piece—maybe even a star. And based on his velocity, command, and competitive fire, that vision may still come to life.

 

A Symbol of Resilience

 

In a sport riddled with setbacks and uncertainties, Matt Allan’s story stands as a beacon of perseverance. He was a teenage phenom, then a cautionary tale, and now a symbol of what it means to fight—really fight—for a dream.

 

He spent nearly six years in recovery and rehab for a career that hadn’t yet begun. He faced doubt, depression, and the cruel nature of injuries that steal time, progress, and sometimes, identity. Yet through it all, he endured.

 

For the Mets, Allan’s comeback is a feel-good moment in a season full of questions. For Allan, it’s the culmination of years of grit and belief. And for everyone watching—players, fans, and aspiring athletes—his story is a reminder that some journeys are longer and harder, but no less worth taking.

 

 

Matt Allan is back. And that’s more than enough for now.