The commerce deadline isn’t for an additional few weeks, however the Mets obtained an enormous addition to their bullpen Friday when left-hander Brooks Raley got here off the injured record. Lastly, the Mets have a longtime reliever within the bullpen who can match up in opposition to left-handed hitters in nearly any state of affairs, and has expertise pitching in high-leverage innings.
Raley, a stalwart for the Mets’ bullpen in 2023, underwent Tommy John surgical procedure early final season after throwing solely seven innings. However his rehab went easily and the Mets signed him to a one-year contract earlier this season with the hope of getting him wholesome for a playoff push.
“It was a journey,” Raley stated Friday afternoon at Citi Discipline earlier than the Mets opened a collection in opposition to the Cincinnati Reds. “The first part of the six months, not throwing is tough. Never been through anything like that before. In 16 years, I didn’t like taking more than 1-2 months off. But it was a chance to kind of reset the body, get the mobility back [and] work on yourself.”
A 37-year-old veteran who pitched seven seasons within the Main Leagues and 6 in Korea, Raley’s velocity is up from his previous couple of seasons and he’s feeling “normal,” which is strictly how he wished to really feel after an extended rehab course of.
Raley stayed busy together with his 4 youngsters whereas rehabbing principally at dwelling in Texas final summer season. Over the winter, he anticipated to signal with a group rapidly as a free agent, although he at all times held out hope for a reunion with the Mets. There have been some provides, however none that have been attractive, and Raley wished continuity in his rehab plan, particularly understanding he wouldn’t have the ability to return till midseason.
“The value wasn’t there for what we were getting offered so I just passed,” Raley stated. “I said, ‘I’ve bet on myself this far, I’ll keep doing that.’”
Capable of throw once more, he held a exercise for scouts, saying he felt like he was in school once more when he had 12 of them with their radar weapons out watching him heat up.
“Got a little adrenaline rolling and got to throw,” he stated. “Everything worked out after that. I talked to David [Stearns] three or four days after that, and kind of signed the next day. So it just felt right. It was mutual, and I felt like I could bring value to this team. And I think this team is in a good spot to win.”
The Texas A&M product throws 4 pitches from a 3/4 arm slot, and has been adept at suppressing laborious contact since he returned to the Main Leagues in 2020. He owns a 4.04 ERA and a 3.76 FIP in 227 Main League video games over seven seasons, however had back-to-back seasons with an ERA beneath 3.00 in 2022 with Tampa Bay and 2023 with the Mets.
“He’s a guy you feel good about whether [he’s facing] a righty or a lefty,” stated supervisor Carlos Mendoza. “The experience guy that comes in the middle of an inning with traffic, in a clean eating he’ll get you three outs. Could be in the ninth, could be the eighth, could be as early as the six. There’s a lot of flexibility there, having a guy like that is important, and we definitely missed him. I’m glad that he’s back.”
METS SIGN MITCH VOIT
Michigan’s two-way star Mitch Voit, the Mets’ first choice within the draft final weekend, made a go to to Citi Discipline on Friday to signal his contract. Voit will start his skilled profession in Port St. Lucie the place he’ll play infield full time. As a junior, Voit dropped pitching, enjoying 55 video games at second base, main the Wolverines in dwelling runs (14), walks (40), steals (14), slugging (.668) and OPS (1.139).
The thirty eighth total decide, Voit signed for $1.75 million, beneath the slot worth, utilizing among the cash to purchase his mother a Chanel purse. A Milwaukee native who went to highschool in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, the identical highschool as Chicago Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell, Voit launched himself on a post-draft convention name as a “winner.”
Voit may be finest recognized for his viral celebration throughout a sport in opposition to USC. After sliding into third with a three-run triple, Voit pretended to snort the third-base chalk as if snorting a line of cocaine. The 20-year-old later apologized on X.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Outfielder/DH Jesse Winker had an epidural for his decrease again and can proceed to be shut down from baseball actions for an additional 7-10 days. The Mets don’t count on him again anytime quickly. Outfielder/DH Starling Marte (proper knee bruise) continues baseball actions and is anticipated to return early subsequent week.
Proper-hander Jose Butto (undisclosed sickness) is on a rehab project with Triple-A Syracuse. Proper-handed starter/reliever Paul Blackburn (shoulder impingement) will proceed his rehab in Port St. Lucie within the Florida Advanced League.
Proper-hander Max Kranick has been shut down for the season and can endure a UCL restore process, his second Tommy John surgical procedure since 2022.
Left-hander Richard Lovelady was designated for project to make room for Raley on the roster.
