The New York Mets are about to receive a veteran reinforcement to their bullpen corps, as they try to navigate a difficult schedule this season that includes the current World Champions and teams like the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, just to name a few.
Right-hander Jared Hughes, who was signed by the New York Mets on June 30 to a minor league deal, was placed on the injured list back on July 10 with an undisclosed issue. However, he revealed today that he tested positive for COVID-19 in early July, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
According to Anthony DiComo, Hughes was scheduled to throw live batting practice Sunday and could be just days away from activation off the injured list. The Mets need him and Brad Brach to strengthen the relief pitching in what is shaping up to be a tight race for the playoffs.
The Mets are about to gain a valuable righty
The 35-year-old hurler missed all of summer camp and the Mets declined to explain why. However, the pitcher himself came forward with an explanation today, saying that he suffered the disease, just like Brach.
Last week, when addressing the absences of Brach and Hughes, Mets’ manager Luis Rojas said to the press that in them, he has “a couple of weapons pending.â€
Indeed, Hughes could be an extremely useful piece as the Mets bridge the gap between the starters and closer Edwin Diaz. Last season, he had a 4.04 ERA in 72 games with the Cincinnatu Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies, with a 5-5 record, 54 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP.
Hughes is known for the heavy usage of his sinker, relying on the offering roughly three quarters of the time. The pitch has helped him maintain a very low career ERA of 2.88, with a 4.11 FIP. He complements his arsenal with a changeup, a curveball, a four-seamer and a slider.