Mets to call up Tyler Jay for bullpen depth
New York reportedly promote left-handed relief pitcher, 2015 No. 6 pick
The New York Mets are in desperate need of pitching depth and will reportedly call up left-handed pitcher Tyler Jay to the Major Leagues for the first time in his career.
Jay, who the organization signed out of the independent Frontier League (Joliet Slammers) last summer, had his contract selected from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The Mets expect the LHP to add needed depth to the bullpen following a 4-7 start to the regular season.
https://twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/1778077865122127949
The 29-year old, who celebrates his 30th birthday on April 19, finally receives the call after a substantial time period as a journeyman pitcher in the Minor Leagues. Jay was selected with the No. 6 overall pick by the Minnesota Twins out of Illinois in the 2015 MLB Draft; after reaching Double-A Chattanooga twice, the Twins traded him to the Cincinnati Reds in July 2019 after failing to surpass that point due to performance and injuries.
In one appearance for Syracuse this season, Jay didn’t allow a run on four hits, striking out two and not conceding a walk in 3.2 innings. He also pitched impressively well for New York during spring training – five hitless innings, allowing just one walk and striking out seven batters.
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In Jay’s eight-year minor league career, he is 13-14 with a 3.27 ERA and 242 strikeouts in 245.2 total innings across 127 games.
The Mets have explored multiple avenues attempting to bolster their thin pitching staff early in 2024. After signing Julio Teheran, manager Carlos Mendoza explained the club’s decision to designate him for assignment, and following a disappointing outing, the Mets traded Michael Tonkin to the Twins for cash considerations Tuesday.
Jay is a pure reclamation project, but has a chance to revive his career in a low-pressure spot. New York has utilized Brooks Raley as the primary lefty out of the bullpen through 11 games and Raley is proving to be effective, having yet to allow a run, walking three and striking out four in 4.1 innings across five appearances.
