Somehow after only 10 games, the New York Mets pitching staff is stretched thin. The team has already shuffled multiple arms on and off the roster, and it doesn’t look like they’re stopping soon. On Tuesday, the Mets announced that they designated Julio Teheran for assignment and called up Dedniel Núñez in his place.
The team also announced that righty Michael Tonkin has been traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash considerations. The Mets initially designated Tonkin for assignment last Friday.
More Changes to the New York Mets Pitching Staff
Dedniel Núñez
Núñez, 27, has been an intriguing arm in the Mets system for a while. However, his first appearance with the Mets will be his major league debut. The righty possesses a lively arm and good stuff but lacks control.
Dedniel Núñez made his professional debut with the 2017 GCL Mets
The Giants selected him in the Rule 5 Draft in December of 2020
He was looking like he was going to make the 2021 Giants, but ended up needing Tommy John
He was returned to the Mets and is now on the MLB roster
— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) April 9, 2024
Injuries have hindered Núñez’s career and development. Most notably, he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 just months after the San Francisco Giants selected him in the Rule 5 draft. He spent all season earning service time but was returned to the Mets afterward.
He faced more injuries in the Mets’ system, but managed to stay healthy in 2023. Last year, Núñez tossed 57 innings between Double-A and Triple-A and posted a 5.53 ERA. He did this while producing a strikeout rate of 26.8 percent and a too-high 12.3 percent walk rate.
That said, he has struck out five and walked one in 3 1/3 scoreless innings at Triple-A this year. Plus, he matched these strikeout and walk totals in one less inning during spring training. The Mets pitching staff needs fresh arms that can eat innings. Núñez won’t be asked to do too much, but should get a chance to show off his dazzling stuff.
Julio Teheran
The Mets signed Teheran last week following the injury to Tylor Megill. However, he lasted just one start before getting let go. The Mets pitching staff was stretched thin and the team hoped Teheran could at least provide innings. Instead, he pitched just 2 2/3 innings on Monday against the Atlanta Braves and allowed four runs.
To clarify for those who have wondered: Julio Teheran’s $2.5 million contract was non-guaranteed.
So he gets a pro-rated portion based on days spent on the roster (four).
Thus, the Mets paid him about $54,000.
(Still not a bad week of work!) https://t.co/2hsWQP6f7A
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) April 9, 2024
Teheran’s contract was worth $2.5 million, but the money was not guaranteed. As Tim Healey of Newsday tweeted, that means Teheran will earn approximately $54,000 for one start with the Mets and four days on the roster.
With Teheran in DFA limbo, New York will have a week to trade him or pass him through waivers. However, the veteran can reject a minor league assignment due to his service time. That said, it’s possible the deep-pocketed Mets will offer him decent money to stay in the organization. Teheran could theoretically pitch at Triple-A on a relatively high-paying deal with opt-outs.
This move clears a path for the Mets to give Jose Buttó an extended look after he impressed many in the organization over the past couple of years. After a good spring training that followed an impressive September, Buttó will receive an opportunity to stick in the majors. He made one start this season and tossed six innings of one-run ball against a hot Detroit Tigers team. He likely will take Teheran’s spot in the rotation and start this weekend.
Michael Tonkin
Tonkin pitched well this spring but hurt the Mets with two blow-ups in extra innings last week. He allowed eight runs (though only two earned) with three strikeouts in four innings of work. Tonkin earned one of the two final spots in the Mets bullpen and is expected to give the Mets quality length in relief.
The Mets pitching staff could have benefited from going multiple innings during his outings. But instead, New York pulled the plug rather quickly.
The Mets signed Tonkin this offseason to a split one-year deal with a $1 million base salary. Minnesota will now owe Tonkin a prorated portion of that salary if Tonkin spends time in the majors. The nature of the deal also says that the Twins will pay him a different salary rate if the team can pass him through outright waivers.
Interestingly enough, the other pitcher to claim a final spot in the Mets bullpen, Yohan Ramírez, was designated for assignment on Monday. Like with Teheran, the Mets will have several days to trade Ramírez or hope he passes through waivers.
Photo Credit: © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
