In the wake of a disastrous day at Citi Field, the New York Mets made a pair of roster moves ahead of a much-needed off-day on Monday.
Mets Shake Up Roster as Team Hits New Low
After falling to a season-worst 10 games under .500 (9-19 record), losing both games of Sunday’s doubleheader, and suffering an embarrassing series sweep to the Colorado Rockies at home, New York designated veteran outfielder Tommy Pham for assignment after just nine games, the New York Post’s Mike Puma reports. In replacement of Pham, the club is signing another veteran outfielder in Austin Slater, whom the Mets had interest in over the offseason. The Athletic’s Will Sammon was first on the news. The Mets have yet to announce either roster move.
Mets DFA Tommy Pham after he went 0-for-13 for them pic.twitter.com/Hy36YN2DyS
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 27, 2026
Pham, 38, signed a minor league deal with the Mets just hours before first pitch on Opening Day. Pham, because of his late signing, did not have a proper spring training. He was later assigned to St. Lucie to ramp up, but played in just all of five games before the Mets called him up ahead of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 13. Pham had failed to record a hit with the Mets and went 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts. Slater is now set to replace Pham on the roster.
Report: Mets Sign Austin Slater in Veteran Swap
Prior to spring training, multiple teams were linked to Slater in free agency, including the Tampa Bay Rays. Ultimately, he signed a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers, who then released the 38-year-old ahead of Opening Day. The Miami Marlins were quick to snag him. Slater has gone on to hit just .174/.286/.174 with just a single RBI. The right-handed hitter has just four hits in 28 at-bats this season.
The Mets and outfielder Austin Slater are in agreement on a deal, league source tells The Athletic.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) April 27, 2026
The Marlins did not wait around for much longer. After 12 games, Miami DFA’d Slater on April 23, and after clearing waivers, he elected free agency, which allowed the Mets to sign him. Slater had experience in the outfield, playing all three positions. He can man first base as well if needed. With the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox in 2025, Slater hit .216 with five home runs and produced a .642 OPS across 65 games. For his career, Slater has posted a .247 average with 45 home runs, 185 RBI, 50 stolen bases, and a .716 OPS across 1,653 at-bats, appearing in 711 games.
Main Photo Credit: © John Jones-Imagn Images
