The Mets delayed promoting a built-up Dedniel Núñez from Triple-A Syracuse, they said, in part because they wanted to avoid Núñez becoming one more interchangeable arm who volleys between the minors and the majors. They wanted his call-up to signal that he had arrived for good.
That has not been the case.
A wild Núñez was optioned before Saturday’s game in The Bronx, where the Mets added recently acquired lefty José Castillo to the active roster.
Núñez — a revelation last season who was slow-played this spring because of the right pronator strain that ended his 2024 campaign early — debuted May 5 and lasted just five appearances.
The righty pitched a scoreless inning Friday but let up a single and a walk, and the bases on balls have been his biggest issue: In 3 ⅔ innings, he has walked six.
Núñez provided a huge boost to the Mets bullpen in 2024 before being lost to injury.
As Núñez attempts to right himself in Syracuse, the Mets will get a look at Castillo in a bullpen that could use a quality southpaw.
The Mets have already lost A.J. Minter and Danny Young for the season, with Génesis Cabrera previously the only lefty in the bullpen.
Castillo had been designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks after allowing eight runs in 6 ⅓ innings.
For his career, he owns a 5.21 ERA in 45 games with Arizona and San Diego and is out of minor-league options, so he cannot be sent to Syracuse without clearing waivers.
