The New York Mets officially announced on Tuesday, prior to their series opener with the Arizona Diamondbacks, that southpaw reliever Brooks Raley is back on a one-year contract with an option for the 2026 campaign.
Raley is recovering from Tommy John surgery that ended his 2024 season in May. He didn’t allow an earned run and struck out nine in seven innings of work across eight games.
He was one of their best options out of the pen in his lone full season with the Mets in 2023, posting a 2.80 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 54.2 innings pitched.
He was placed on the 15-day injured list, meaning his return to the mound could come in the coming month.
It is a crucial signing to bolster their left-handed pitching depth out of the bullpen. Manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that fellow southpaw reliever AJ Minter is facing the possibility of season-ending surgery after he suffered a lat injury last week.
“All we know right now is we’re dealing with a pretty significant injury here,” Mendoza said.
Minter signed with the Mets over the winter and overcame a hip issue to become an invaluable back-end option. In 11 innings (13 appearances), he possessed a 1.64 ERA with 14 strikeouts.
In a corresponding move to make room for Raley on the 40-man roster, the Mets moved injured starting pitcher Sean Manaea to the 60-day IL. It does little to change the timeline of his season debut, which is expected to come in late May or early June.
New York also recalled Kevin Herget from Triple-A Syracuse and designated Jose Urena for assignment after he made just one appearance, allowing five runs on seven hits in three innings of relief during Monday’s win over the Washington Nationals.
