The Mets have announced that right-hander Tommy Hunter has been placed on the 15-day injured list with back spasms. To replace Hunter on the active roster, the club has selected the contract of right-hander Denyi Reyes. To make room for Reyes on the 40-man roster, right-hander Bryce Montes de Oca has been transferred to the 60-day injured list. Montes de Oca’s transfer to the 60-day IL comes as little surprise after the right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last week. He was already expected to miss the entire 2023 season.
Hunter, 36, pitched a pair of scoreless innings for the Mets against the Marlins before getting lit up by the Brewers Monday for five runs in two innings of work. He now heads to the injured list with an 11.25 ERA during the young 2023 campaign in hopes of getting things back on track. 2023 is Hunter’s third season as a member of the Mets, but the journeyman right-hander has pitched for six other organizations in his career. From 2008-2012, Hunter pitcher primarily as a starter for the Rangers and Orioles, posting a 4.77 ERA (92 ERA+) in 469 1/3 innings of work. Baltimore then transitioned him into a regular bullpen role where Hunter began to flourish.
Since the beginning of the 2013 season, Hunter has posted a 3.21 ERA (129 ERA+) in 428 1/3 innings of work, with all but one of those appearances coming out of the bullpen. Hunter also sports a 20.6% strikeout rate against a minuscule 5.4% walk rate in addition to an above average 45.9% groundball rate during that time. Given his long track record of success out of the bullpen, it’s reasonable to think Hunter may be able to contribute to the relief corps in New York once he’s returned to full health.
In the meantime, the 26 year-old Reyes will take Hunter’s spot in the bullpen. Reyes made his big league debut as a member of the Orioles last year, pitching to a 2.35 ERA in 7 2/3 innings of work across three appearances. Reyes sports a career 3.29 ERA with a 21.3% strikeout rate and a 3.7% walk rate in 596 1/3 innings of work in the minors, with ample experience both starting and out of the rotation. He should give the Mets a solid multi-inning option out of the bullpen, a role Hunter had been filling for the Mets prior to his injury.
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