According to Tim Britton, the New York Mets are planning to activate right-handed pitcher Reed Garrett from the Injured List later today. In a corresponding move, the team has decided to option left-handed pitcher Alex Young to Triple-A Syracuse.
Garrett, who initially had a strong start to the season, began to struggle as the calendar turned to June and July. His early-season success made him a reliable option in the Mets’ bullpen, but as the summer progressed, his performance began to decline. On July 10, Garrett was placed on the Injured List due to right elbow inflammation, a setback that kept him sidelined for several weeks.
During his time on the IL, Garrett worked to recover and made two rehab appearances in the minors to prepare for his return to the major league roster. Unfortunately, both of these rehab outings were less than ideal, as Garrett struggled to regain his earlier form. Despite these difficulties, the Mets are ready to bring him back, hoping that he can rediscover the success he experienced earlier in the season.
Alex Young, on the other hand, was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on July 17. Since joining the Mets, Young has made seven appearances out of the bullpen, and he has been relatively effective in his limited opportunities. Over those seven outings, Young has allowed just one earned run on four hits and one walk, demonstrating that he can be a dependable option in relief. His performance thus far has been encouraging, particularly given his status as a recent waiver claim.
Young is a left-handed pitcher, which adds value to a bullpen that often seeks to balance its roster with both left and right-handed options. Along with Danny Young, another left-handed reliever in the Mets’ bullpen (to whom he is not related), Alex Young has been a valuable asset in the short time he has been with the team. However, despite his solid performance, the Mets have opted to send him to Triple-A Syracuse in order to make room for Garrett’s return to the active roster.
The decision to option Alex Young to Triple-A is likely driven by the Mets’ desire to see what Garrett can bring to the table after his recovery. The Mets’ bullpen has had its ups and downs this season, and with the team aiming to make a push for the playoffs, every roster decision is being made with the goal of optimizing their chances of success. By reactivating Garrett and sending Young to the minors, the Mets are looking to strike the right balance as they enter a critical stretch of the season.
As the Mets prepare for the next phase of the season, it will be interesting to see how Garrett performs upon his return and whether Alex Young will be recalled to the majors later in the year. Both pitchers have shown potential, and the Mets will be counting on their contributions as they navigate the remainder of the season.
