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Mets Make History With Signing on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 6:06 PM ET

The New York Mets are staying afloat in the NL East, but they could fall down the standings if they suffer any more pitching injuries.

Right-handed pitcher José Buttó (illness), right-hander Kodai Senga (hamstring), right-hander Tylor Megill (elbow), Dendiel Núñez (elbow), right-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder), left-hander Brooks Riley (elbow), left-hander Sean Manaea (oblique), right-hander Griffin Canning (Achilles), right-hander Max Kranick (flexor), right-hander Drew Smith (elbow), left-hander A.J. Minter (lat), left-hander Danny Young (elbow), and right-hander Christian Scott (elbow) are on the IL. The Mets were forced to give rookie Justin Hagenman his first MLB start against the New York Yankees on Friday due to the injury bug.

The club made a pitching signing on Friday that won't help it this season, but could in the future, via MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.

"This is cool: the Mets, for the first time in their history, are signing an amateur player from Europe," he reported. "Meet Italy's Matteo Marelli, who will formally join the Mets' farm system tomorrow."

Marelli is 5-10 with a 5.15 ERA over 39 career appearances in the Italian Baseball League, officially known as the Serie A.

This is cool: the Mets, for the first time in their history, are signing an amateur player from Europe.

Meet Italy's Matteo Marelli, who will formally join the Mets' farm system tomorrow:https://t.co/u5W5HaXRhe
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 4, 2025

Marelli earned a scholarship to Arizona Western College, but he will instead go straight to the pros. The 19-year-old will begin his career in the Dominican Summer League.

Meanwhile, the Mets will host the Yankees again on Saturday and Sunday before hitting the road to face the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals. After that, they'll return home to play the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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