The New York Mets have revitalized their season over the past several weeks, reaching a .500 record (44-44) as of Monday and trailing the final wild-card spot by just two games. Despite their recent success, a significant issue has surfaced: the bullpen.
The bullpen’s recent struggles can be attributed to a weakened roster.
Edwin Díaz has been sidelined twice due to a right shoulder impingement and a 10-game suspension. Drew Smith and Brooks Raley have both undergone season-ending arm surgeries. Former all-star Jorge López was designated for assignment after an outburst, among other issues.
Amidst concerns about their bullpen depth, the Mets acquired a promising left-handed reliever from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
The Mets Acquire Matt Gage from the Dodgers
According to an announcement on X, the Mets have acquired Matt Gage from the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations, assigning him to Triple-A Syracuse.
Gage will replace Smith on the 40-man roster as Smith moves to the 60-day injured list.
Gage, who was designated for assignment last week, has spent the entire season pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma. The 31-year-old has logged 21 innings in 20 appearances with a 4.29 ERA, a 1.381 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts.
A New York native, Gage has had brief stints in the major leagues over the past two seasons with the Houston Astros, performing well with a 1.83 ERA, a 1.068 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts over 19.2 innings in 16 appearances.
What Does This Mean for the Mets?
Gage is a high-upside depth acquisition for the Mets. The 31-year-old features a solid four-pitch mix, including a four-seam fastball, cutter, slider, and sinker, which often generate whiffs and soft contact.
Given the lack of solid bullpen options and his impressive major league numbers, a few strong performances for Triple-A Syracuse could earn Gage a spot in the Mets bullpen in the near future.
