Mets Claim Edwin Uceta From Pirates

The Mets announced that they have claimed right-hander Edwin Uceta off waivers from the Pirates and optioned him to Triple-A. Uceta had been designated for assignment by Pittsburgh earlier this week. In order to open a roster spot for him, the Mets transferred righty Sam Coonrod to the 60-day injured list.

Uceta, 25, has been extremely popular on the waiver wire. He spent the early parts of his career with the Dodgers but was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks in October of 2021. He spent one season with the Snakes, though they put him on waivers in January of this year. Over the past few months, he’s been claimed by the Tigers, the Pirates and now the Mets, making for four claims in the past year and a half and three in just the past few months.

Amid all of that, he’s been able to make 24 major league appearances, 14 with the Dodgers in 2021 and 10 more with the D’Backs last year. He has a 6.27 ERA in that time, striking out 23% of opponents, walking 11.5% and getting grounders at a 37.1% clip.

What’s surely enticing to clubs is that Uceta has shown huge strikeout stuff in the minors, posting a 29.5% strikeout rate in Triple-A in 2021 and then 32.7% at that level last year. He’s also paired that with high walk rates and ERAs just under 5.00 in both instances, but there’s enough to dream on there that clubs keep giving him a shot. He still has an option year so the Mets can keep him in the minors and see if Uceta can better harness his stuff.

The club’s bullpen depth has taken a few hits already in the early parts of the season. Edwin Díaz required knee surgery that is likely to be season-ending, while Bryce Montes de Oca required Tommy John surgery. Tommy Hunter, Stephen Ridings and Coonrod are also on the IL with various ailments. By grabbing Uceta off waivers, the Mets have added a bit of optionable depth to their roster.

As for Coonrod, this transfer doesn’t come as a shock since he was recently diagnosed with a high-grade lat strain and wasn’t likely to be available in the near future. This move makes him ineligible to return until late May at the earliest.