The New York Mets have turned their season around over the last several weeks, sitting at .500 entering Monday (44-44) and just two games back of the final wild-card spot. However, despite all their recent success, a flaw has emerged: the bullpen.
A key reason for the bullpen’s recent shortcomings is that it has weakened significantly.
Edwin Díaz has missed two significant stretches between a right shoulder impingement and a 10-game suspension. Drew Smith and Brooks Raley were both forced to undergo season-ending arm procedures. Jorge López, a former all-star, was designated for assignment following an outburst, and the list continues.
With the depth being questioned, the blue and orange acquired a promising left-handed reliever from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
The Mets have acquired Matt Gage from the Dodgers
According to an announcement on X from the organization, the Mets have acquired Matt Gage from the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations and have assigned the left-hander to Triple-A Syracuse.
Gage is taking Smith’s spot on the 40-man roster as the Texas native got transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Gage got designated for assignment last week and has spent the entirety of the season pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma. The 31-year-old has pitched 21 innings across 20 appearances to a 4.29 ERA with a 1.381 WHIP and 27 strikeouts.
The New York native has had spurts in the major leagues over the past two seasons with the Houston Astros and shined, pitching 19.2 innings across 16 appearances to a 1.83 ERA with a 1.068 WHIP and 20 strikeouts.
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What does this mean for the Mets?
Gage is merely a high upside depth acquisition for the blue and orange. The 31-year-old has demonstrated a solid four-pitch mix of a four-seam fastball, a cutter, a slider, and a sinker that often generates whiffs and soft contact.
With a lack of solid options to call up and his solid numbers in major league appearances, albeit those have been limited, a couple of solid appearances for Triple-A Syracuse could grant Gage an opportunity to find a role in the Mets bullpen in the near future.
