Outfielder Michael Conforto?¡¯s free agency will last longer than expected, as the former Mets outfielder underwent surgery on his right shoulder last week, a source told MLB.com¡¯s Mark Feinsand. After the surgery, performed by Dr. Neil ElAttrache, Conforto is expected to be ready for next year¡¯s Spring Training. He sustained the injury while training in January.

The surgery closes the book on what ended up being an underwhelming 2021-22 free agency period for Conforto. He entered the offseason ranked as the No. 19 free agent in MLB.com¡¯s free agent rankings and declined the Mets' $18.4 million qualifying offer in November, setting up what he hoped would be a big payday. That didn¡¯t end up being the case, however, as Conforto¡¯s name was notably absent from both the pre- and post-lockout free-agent spending frenzy.

Since Conforto¡¯s signing with a team will occur after the 2022 MLB Draft, he¡¯ll enter the offseason without the Mets¡¯ qualifying offer attached to him, meaning that any team signing him will no longer have to give up a Draft pick as compensation.

Last season, Conforto posted his lowest OPS (.729) and wRC+ (106) since his first full season in 2016, as he finished the year with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs over 125 games for the Mets. A one-time All-Star, his best year came in 2019 when he slugged 33 home runs and drove in 92 runs in 151 games. The 29-year-old (who will be 30 by Opening Day 2023) played exclusively in right field in 2021.