Mets’ Brooks Raley to have season-ending elbow surgery in blow to bullpen

CLEVELAND — The Mets’ top left-handed reliever when the season began won’t be returning this year.

Brooks Raley will undergo surgery next week for ligament damage and bone spurs in his left elbow, manager Carlos Mendoza said after the Mets’ 7-6 loss to the Guardians on Tuesday.

It still wasn’t clear, according to Mendoza, if Raley will have Tommy John or internal brace surgery.

But in either case, Raley won’t return this season.

Raley spent the last month trying to find an avenue that wouldn’t involve surgery after he was placed on the injured list in late April with swelling in the elbow.

He appeared in eight games this season and didn’t allow an earned run.

“It’s unfortunate because he gave everything he had,” Mendoza said. “He kept trying. He went for second opinions, but he still felt something there so they are going to go in and see what’s going on.”

Raley, 35, is a free agent after this season.

He was a dependable workhorse for the club last year, when he pitched to a 2.80 ERA in 66 appearances after arriving in a trade with the Rays.

Jake Diekman has served as the Mets’ primary lefty reliever in Raley’s absence.

Diekman had a rough outing on Tuesday, allowing a homer to David Fry after entering with a runner on base in the sixth.

Diekman also allowed a homer in his previous appearance, against the Marlins.

Josh Walker is currently on the major league roster as a second lefty reliever.

Danny Young and Tyler Jay are other lefties in the organization that have seen action from the Mets bullpen this season.

David Peterson, who is concluding a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse, could also be considered for the bullpen.

“[Raley] is a big loss for us, but it will be an opportunity for somebody else and guys will step up,” Mendoza said.