The New York Mets have had a dreadful season through 40-plus games. Between a struggling offense, some bad starting pitching, and the injury bug, there hasn’t been much to be happy about if you’re a fan of the orange and blue. However, despite all those issues, one player is making a case to be on this team for the rest of the year. That player is none other than right-handed reliever Austin Warren.
Austin Warren Continues to Be a Light in a Dark Mets Season
Warren has not been a consistent stay on this Mets team so far in his tenure. Since being claimed off waivers in January of 2025 from the San Francisco Giants, Warren has been brought up and down between the majors and minors. That is not to say he hasn’t been solid when he does join the team. Last season, he would appear in just five games but had an ERA of o.91 in nine-plus innings of relief.
Warren Dominant For Mets Since Being Recalled
Again, to start this season, Warren was optioned to Triple-A. He was then recalled back to the majors to replace the recently DFA’d Carl Edwards Jr. So far, Warren has been dominant. In 11 innings, Warren has pitched to an ERA of 0.82, as well as punching out 13 batters. He has come up clutch for the Mets in different scenarios. Whether it be during a blowout when the Mets don’t want to waste their other relievers, or when a starter has a short outing, and they need someone to eat a few innings. He has pitched very well in those cases and is making a case to be a key piece of the bullpen going forward.
Austin Warren in relief tonight:
2.0 IP | 1 H | 0 R | 0 ER | 2 BB | 3 K
So far this season:
8 G – 11.0 IP – 0.82 ERA – 13 SO – 1.09 WHIP
ELITE. ELITE. ELITE!!!
📸- @Mets pic.twitter.com/CM88aelhUu
— Mets Batflip (@metsbatflip1) May 13, 2026
Key Piece to a Turnaround
As a relief pitcher, there is only so much you can help your team with. However, you still can be a key piece in helping to turn a season around. If the Mets somehow can turn this thing around, Warren can be a huge contributor to this team going forward. Especially with guys like Craig Kimbrel and Sean Manaea struggling in the ‘pen, it would only make sense for Warren to get bigger opportunities as the season goes on. The Mets can always have him be the setup guy to Luke Weaver or Devin Williams if need be.
Can Warren Continue His Success?
With his red-hot start, it will be interesting to see if he can continue it going forward. Warren has been through a lot of adversity. Between Tommy John surgery and being up and down between the minor and major leagues, it’s amazing to see that he can be a huge contributor for this franchise.
The Mets have a long road ahead before they turn this thing around. If they do happen to have a big shift in their performance, it can be thanks to guys like Warren and the rest of the Mets’ youth movement, including rookies A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge. It would be awesome to see Austin Warren on this team for the rest of the season, instead of being sent up and down between the minors. Hopefully, he has officially earned his spot on this roster for good.
Main Photo Credit: © John Jones-Imagn Images
