by Mets add another arm to bullpen mix, right-hander deal Grant Hartwig on a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Hartwig was non-tendered by the Mets last month.
The 26-year-old made his big league debut for the Mets in 2023, posting a 4.84 ERA (4.44 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP in 35.1 innings over 28 games.
He has pitched just 6.2 innings in the big leagues in 2024, allowing six runs (five earned). Hartwig’s season ended in June when he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
There are seemingly three guarantees in the Mets bullpen right now, and a lot of question marks.
Edwin Diaz will be closer, Dedniel Nuñez (if the back is healthy as expected) should be a key setup arm, and Reed Garrett will be a factor.
José Butto could also be an important cog if the Mets kept him in a relief role instead of sending him back into the rotation.
Other options already on the 40-man roster include Sean Reid Foley, Huascar Brazobanand recent signatures Justin Hagenman (who signed a split contract) and Dylan Covey.
RAMIREZ RE-SIGNED
In addition to Hartwig, the Mets also re-signed outfielder Alex Ramirez, according to Sammon.
Like Hartwig, Ramirez was non-tendered last month.
Ramirez, 21, was once a near-consensus top-100 prospect, but he has struggled recently in the minors.
He had a .627 OPS for High-A Brooklyn in 2023 and couldn’t generate much offense for Binghamton in his first taste of Triple-A in 2024, slashing just .210/.291/.299 in 123 matches.
