MMN‘s own Michael Mayer reports the New York Mets have released minor league right-handed reliever Ryley Gilliam. Mayer also reports the Mets are expected to release additional minor leaugers in the near future.

Giliam, 27, was the Mets 2018 fifth round draft pick out of Clemson University. When Gilliam was drafted, he was expected to be a fast riser through the Mets farm system. In fact, Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline said Gilliam could be the first player from that draft to make it to the majors due to his being a dominant collegiate reliever who had one of the better curveballs in that year’s draft.

Unfortunately, injuries would sidetrack Gilliam’s career. A year after being drafted, he would make it up to Triple-A Syracuse, and during the 2020 COVID season, he was part of the Mets minor league player pool. In 2021, he struggled in 20 appearances for Double-A Binghamton, posting a 9.88 ERA.

Gilliam was shut down in July, and he would undergo Tommy John surgery in April 2022. He would be assigned to the FCL Mets and Syracuse Mets during the course of the 2023 season. While assigned, he would not throw a pitch during the course of the 2023 season. As a result, it has been over two years since Gilliam has pitched in a game.

In addition to Gilliam, Mayer further reports the Mets have released INF Kevin Kendall, RHP Mathieu Voros, and OF Cesar Berbesi. Beyond these four places, the Mets are still expected to release more players. Of note, Voros was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2022 draft, but he would never make in appearance for any of the Mets minor league affiliates.

Part of that is normal course after the season. Another aspect is David Stearns looking to reshape the Mets organization after he was hired as the president of baseball operations.