Mets manager Carlos Mendoza shared some updates ahead of Saturday’s game against the Yankees.
Brooks Raleigh progressed with a rehab assignment on Friday night, delivering another strong performance in Triple-A. The left-hander pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, securing his first win during the stint. So far, he has struck out 11 batters and hasn’t pitched more than 6.2 innings across his appearances. While things are looking positive, it will still take some time before he returns to the major league mound. Mendoza mentioned that they want Raleigh to have two out of three consecutive strong outings, which likely won’t happen until after the break. The team is carefully planning how to reintegrate him, aiming to avoid overwhelming him in his first major league appearances back.
Meanwhile, young right-hander Brandon Sproat, who had a slow start to the season, has recently hit his stride with Syracuse. On Friday night, he pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two singles and a walk. He now has 11 consecutive scoreless innings under his belt. Mendoza expressed optimism about Sproat’s development, noting improvements in his fastball, pitch control, and particularly his changeup. The team prefers not to use young pitchers primarily as spot starters, but Sproat’s performance is lowering his ERA to 5.05, strengthening his case for a bigger role.
In roster moves, Zack Pop officially joined the bullpen before the Subway Series game on Saturday and is available for relief. To make room for Pop, Austin Warren was sent back to Triple-A, and Tyler Zuber was designated for assignment. Zuber had been acquired last year in a trade for pitching prospects and made his major league debut this year.
Fan Take: These updates highlight the Mets’ strategic blend of nurturing young talent and shoring up their bullpen, signaling a promising future for the team. For baseball fans, watching these rising stars develop and impact the major league scene adds an exciting dimension to the sport’s evolving narrative.
