Mets Promote Wild Flamethrower, Drop Two Veteran Arms

Injuries have hindered Núñez’s career and development. Most notably, he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 just months after the San Francisco Giants selected him in the Rule 5 draft. He spent all season earning service time but was returned to the Mets afterward.

He faced more injuries in the Mets’ system, but managed to stay healthy in 2023. Last year, Núñez tossed 57 innings between Double-A and Triple-A and posted a 5.53 ERA. He did this while producing a strikeout rate of 26.8 percent and a too-high 12.3 percent walk rate.

That said, he has struck out five and walked one in 3 1/3 scoreless innings at Triple-A this year. Plus, he matched these strikeout and walk totals in one less inning during spring training. The Mets pitching staff needs fresh arms that can eat innings. Núñez won’t be asked to do too much, but should get a chance to show off his dazzling stuff.

Julio Teheran

The Mets signed Teheran last week following the injury to Tylor Megill. However, he lasted just one start before getting let go. The Mets pitching staff was stretched thin and the team hoped Teheran could at least provide innings. Instead, he pitched just 2 2/3 innings on Monday against the Atlanta Braves and allowed four runs.

Teheran’s contract was worth $2.5 million, but the money was not guaranteed. As Tim Healey of Newsday tweeted, that means Teheran will earn approximately $54,000 for one start with the Mets and four days on the roster.

With Teheran in DFA limbo, New York will have a week to trade him or pass him through waivers. However, the veteran can reject a minor league assignment due to his service time. That said, it’s possible the deep-pocketed Mets will offer him decent money to stay in the organization. Teheran could theoretically pitch at Triple-A on a relatively high-paying deal with opt-outs.

This move clears a path for the Mets to give Jose Buttó an extended look after he impressed many in the organization over the past couple of years. After a good spring training that followed an impressive September, Buttó will receive an opportunity to stick in the majors. He made one start this season and tossed six innings of one-run ball against a hot Detroit Tigers team. He likely will take Teheran’s spot in the rotation and start this weekend.

Michael Tonkin

Tonkin pitched well this spring but hurt the Mets with two blow-ups in extra innings last week. He allowed eight runs (though only two earned) with three strikeouts in four innings of work. Tonkin earned one of the two final spots in the Mets bullpen and is expected to give the Mets quality length in relief.

The Mets pitching staff could have benefited from going multiple innings during his outings. But instead, New York pulled the plug rather quickly.

The Mets signed Tonkin this offseason to a split one-year deal with a $1 million base salary. Minnesota will now owe Tonkin a prorated portion of that salary if Tonkin spends time in the majors. The nature of the deal also says that the Twins will pay him a different salary rate if the team can pass him through outright waivers.

Interestingly enough, the other pitcher to claim a final spot in the Mets bullpen, Yohan Ramírez, was designated for assignment on Monday. Like with Teheran, the Mets will have several days to trade Ramírez or hope he passes through waivers.