Mets Notebook: Reed Garrett takes roster spot of traded David Robertson
Reed Garrett might be taking the place of David Robertson on the Mets’ roster, but the right-hander won’t be taking on his role in the bullpen.
The Mets called up the minor league journeyman to take the spot of Robertson on the roster Friday afternoon after the veteran reliever was traded to the Miami Marlins for two rookie-level prospects one night prior. The clubhouse knew this was coming, even if they wanted the front office to keep the group together to give them a chance to get back into the playoff race, and one of the main reasons the Mets are forced to sell this weekend is because the bullpen has been so bad outside of Robertson, Brooks Raley and Adam Ottavino.
But the Mets have to move on and figure out new bullpen roles, especially since Raley and Ottavino will likely be traded this weekend as well. That would leave right-hander Drew Smith as the only reliever with high-leverage experience and Smith has not shown that he can handle those innings. Save opportunities will go to whoever matches up best with where the other team is in the lineup.
“All options are on the table,” manager Buck Showalter said Friday before the Mets played the second game of a four-game series against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. “I’m not going to say, ‘It’s exactly this guy, not that guy and this guy. Never overlook an orchid while searching for a rose. You might be surprised who might emerge.”
Grant Hartwig might be someone who gets a shot at pitching in some important late innings. A homegrown rookie right-hander Hartwig figured he would be in medical school right now, not pitching in the big leagues, but the Mets brought him up in June and he has slowly earned more trust.
Hartwig, a 25-year-old Detroit native who pitched for Miami (Ohio) in college, is 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 12 appearances (16 innings). The Mets have continually increased his in-game responsibilities and they plan to continue doing that.
“You to give them a little bit and then a little bit more and there’s a feel to it,” Showalter said. “You try to make sure it’s not by force and out of necessity. You protect them a little bit. But I think he’s getting close to being able to get that opportunity. He’s already had a little bit (of that experience) and some of it was by necessity because we didn’t really have anybody else, but he’s shown he might be able to do it.”
Garrett was claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on June 25 after he allowed three earned runs over 2 2/3 innings. A 30-year-old Virginia native who pitched for the Virginia Military Institute in college, Garrett was drafted in the 16th round in 2014 by the Texas Rangers and has spent time in the Detroit Tigers and Nationals organizations, as well as in Mexico and Japan. He had a 5.40 ERA in 6 2/3 innings with Triple-A Syracuse/
He’s hoping for an extended stay in the Major Leagues.
“When guys get called up to the Major Leagues and throw a bunch, if you have options, you get optioned,” Garrett said. “Overall, it’s really trusting my stuff and attacking guys instead of nitpicking. I would like to have a little bit longer of an opportunity, but that opportunity is earned.”
However, none of this changes the timeline for closer Edwin Diaz, who is progressing well from his torn patellar surgery. He is playing catch, but not yet on the mound.
“He’s doing well. He’s meeting every benchmark,” Showalter said. “And, you know, I know what the perfect date is if everything [goes] perfect, but you always leave yourself some wiggle room there because there seems to always be a little hiccup there. I don’t see us speeding up the process, I can tell you that.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tommy Pham (groin) returned to left field for the first time in eight days. The Mets have worked him in slowly, having him pinch-hit last weekend in Boston and DH earlier this week against the Yankees.
