The Mets have designated left-handed reliever Jake Diekman for assignment, the team announced on Monday. In a corresponding move, they recalled left-hander Matt Gage from Triple-A Syracuse.
Diekman, who signed with the Mets in February, struggled to the tune of a 5.63 ERA during his time in New York. He struck out 40 batters in 32 innings, but also walked 24 and surrendered seven home runs.
The veteran reliever owns a career 3.91 ERA in more than 600 big league innings. But at 37 years old, his effectiveness had faded. He had had a particularly rough go as of late, allowing 11 runs in his last 10 innings pitched.
Will Sammon of The Athletic noted that Diekman had signed with a vesting option at 58 games pitched. He was still at 43 appearances for the Mets.
Jul 1, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jake Diekman (30) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
Gage, meanwhile, is a fellow southpaw who the Mets acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash on July 7. He posted a 4.29 ERA with the Dodgers’ Triple-A club in Oklahoma City this season, striking out 27 batters in 21 innings. Since coming to Syracuse, he hasn’t allowed a run in 5 1/3 innings. He’s struck out seven, walked two and allowed three hits.
Gage, 31, was a 10th-round pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2014. He’s appeared in 16 big league games as a reliever — 11 with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022 and five with the Houston Astros in 2023. In 19 2/3 total MLB innings, he has a 1.83 ERA with 20 strikeouts and nine walks. Opponents are hitting just .188 off of him.
Gage will now get a chance with his third MLB team.
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