SAN DIEGO — Most pitchers who grew up in Southern California realized to throw of their backyards or on one of many many fields that dot the communities. The practically year-round gentle, sunny climate permits for teenagers to play baseball outdoors any time of yr.
Chris Devenski, nonetheless, honed his potential to work the corners in a warehouse the place his dad ran a transferring firm. It wasn’t even a baseball that he first began throwing, however a hacky sack, and regardless of an in depth relationship together with his dad, it was his mother, Shirley Johnson, who first received the right-hander into pitching.
Devenski returned to the Mets on Tuesday on a one-year contract. The membership designated him for task final week, however he acquired a name late Monday night time providing to convey him again. He took the spot of right-hander Huascar Brazobán on the roster after the Mets optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse to get a recent arm within the bullpen.
Whereas the 34-year-old stated he’s blissful so long as he will get to proceed taking part in baseball, and an opportunity to be part of one other World Collection group with the Mets is a perfect state of affairs. A member of the Houston Astros group that gained a championship in 2017, Devenski is hoping to win one other one for Johnson, who handed away in 2023 whereas he was taking part in for the Los Angeles Angels, the group he grew up rooting for.
“My mom was sick. My mom was in the hospital for a long time, so I signed with Anaheim to be close to her,” he stated. “That was a rough year. I’d go see her in the mornings and then go play a game at Angel Stadium at night. I was doing that every day at home, trying to spend as much time since we knew my mom’s time was limited. It was wild.”
The Angels knew the state of affairs and did what they may to offer Devenski and his household the help they wanted. Johnson was not solely his first mentor in baseball, but additionally his “best friend.” From his early days in youth baseball, to taking part in in highschool and for Cal State Fullerton, a historic powerhouse program on the time, Johnson was an concerned father or mother, and a pal to lots of Devenski’s buddies.
The Angels designated Devenski for task shortly after Johnson’s passing, the identical day he was activated from the injured listing with a hamstring pressure. It wasn’t very best timing, however he was at peace together with his tenure in Anaheim. Rising up, he handed the Large A virtually every day on his technique to faculty. With the ability to play there was a dream realized, however on the time, he wasn’t certain if he wished to maintain taking part in.
Her funeral was full of former teammates and their mother and father. As they had been leaving, one in every of his buddies observed one thing shiny within the grass. It was a brand new period sticker, the identical ones that come on the invoice of brand name new baseball caps, the identical one Devenski identified on his team-issued hat.
“It was right at her gravesite,” Devenski stated. “It was wild. I was like, ‘OK, this is a sign from her.’”
He was signed by Tampa Bay the day after the Angels granted him his launch. He went on to pitch within the postseason for the Rays, and determined to proceed his profession. It’s what his mother would have wished.
Devenski has carried out properly within the few huge league outings they’ve given him, posting a 2.38 ERA. A changeup with good spin has at all times been his calling card, however the additions of a cutter and a sweeper final season have helped spherical out his choices. A ten-year veteran, the Mets like that he has huge recreation expertise as a former nearer.
He will not be with the Mets for the remainder of the season, but when the Mets go on to win a championship, Devenski will take solace in the truth that he helped play a job to get them there. He is aware of Johnson can be proud.
“It’s a hard sport, the ups and downs can have you in some dark places sometimes,” he stated. “But if you’re able to come through it, you know, good things can happen if you believe.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Proper-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder impingement) will make yet one more rehab begin Saturday earlier than the Mets activate him off the injured listing. Proper-hander Tylor Megill (shoulder impingement) will throw an up-and-down bullpen Wednesday in New York, simulating two innings of labor. Ought to that go properly, the Mets will transfer him on to dealing with hitters.
Initially Printed: July 29, 2025 at 9:45 PM EDT
