The Mets are adding another arm to the bullpen mix, agreeing with right-hander Grant Hartwig on a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training, reports Will Sammon of The Athletic.
Hartwig had been non-tendered by the Mets last month.
The 26-year-old made his big league debut for the Mets in 2023, posting a 4.84 ERA (4.44 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP in 35.1 innings over 28 games.
He pitched just 6.2 big league innings in 2024, allowing six runs (five earned). Hartwig’s season ended in June when he underwent surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee.
There are seemingly three guarantees in the Mets’ bullpen right now, and a whole lot of question marks.
Edwin Diaz will be the closer, Dedniel Núñez (if back healthy as expected) should be a key setup arm, and Reed Garrett will be a factor.
Jose Butto could also be an important cog if the Mets keep him in a relief role instead of shifting him back to the rotation.
Other options already on the 40-man roster include Sean-Reid Foley, Huascar Brazoban, and recent signings Justin Hagenman (who inked a split contract) and Dylan Covey.
RAMIREZ RE-SIGNS
In addition to Hartwig, the Mets also re-signed outfielder Alex Ramirez, per Sammon.
Like Hartwig, Ramirez was non-tendered last month.
Ramirez, 21, was once a near-consensus top 100 prospect, but he’s struggled recently in the minors.
He had a .627 OPS for High-A Brooklyn in 2023 and couldn’t generate much offense for Binghamton in his first taste of Double-A in 2024, slashing just .210/.291/.299 in 123 games.