The New York Mets Are About to Get a Key Player Back

Dedniel Nuñez has been the Mets’ most valuable reliever this year. Nuñez is, by far, the leader in WAR among Mets relievers, despite only pitching the fifth most innings.

Nuñez threw to live batters a couple days ago and supposedly felt great. Manager Carlos Mendoza claimed that Nuñez will only need one minor league rehab appearance before being called up. The reliever will pitch in Syracuse today. It seems like he will rejoin the major league team very soon.

The 28 year old has been a total revelation for the Mets. Nuñez has basically been in the Mets’ system since 2017. The Giants took him in the Rule 5 draft in 2020, but he needed Tommy John surgery and the Giants gave him back to New York.

Nuñez had TJ in 2021. He came back for the 2022 season and made 26 appearances. Nuñez was 26 at the time and still pretty far from the majors. Nuñez found some success in Binghamton and started 2023 there.

Nuñez excelled in 17 innings before getting called up to AAA. Nuñez began to really be on the organization’s radar. However, he struggled mightily in AAA. He pitched to a 6.75 ERA in 40 innings. Despite the struggles, Nuñez stayed on the Syracuse Mets for the remainder of 2023 and the start of 2024.

Nuñez excelled in 2024. He had a 1.38 ERA in 13 appearances before finally getting the call that was seven years in the making.

Nuñez did not waste his opportunity and he has excelled in the majors ever since. The Mets initially used Nuñez in relatively low leverage situations. However, he quickly became the Mets’ setup man after it was clear that he was a real weapon.

The Mets bullpen has not been reliable. With Nuñez hurt, the Mets’ only trustworthy options have been Jose Buttó and Edwin Diaz. Other relievers have the capability to be quality options, but have struggled. The trade deadline acquisitions have yet to prove their worth. Getting Nuñez will make a big difference.

Nuñez can be a multiple innings guy, but he can also come in and get a big out. He should provide another trustworthy arm in the bullpen. Adding one more reliable option makes the bullpen much deeper.