The New York Mets dropped a tough 5-3 decision to the last-place Washington Nationals in an 11-inning battle at Citi Field on Saturday. Mets closer Edwin Díaz kept things scoreless in the 10th with just seven pitches, but manager Carlos Mendoza stuck to plan and didn’t send him back out for the 11th.
Instead, reliever Tyler Rogers took the mound. He started strong by getting Andrés Chaparro on a groundout, but then Daylen Lile crushed a 2-2 fastball off the center-field wall for a bizarre inside-the-park home run that scored two runs and sealed the Mets’ loss. Rogers had been solid lately, giving up only one earned run in his previous 7 2/3 innings.
Mendoza explained the call on Díaz after the game: “He pitched two nights ago, got hot yesterday. We’re only [using him] for one inning today.” It’s all about managing Díaz’s workload as the Mets push toward the playoffs in this key MLB stretch.
Tyrone Taylor Nears Mets Return from Hamstring Injury
Good news for the Mets outfield: Center fielder Tyrone Taylor says his left hamstring feels completely back to normal. The elite defender could rejoin the team as early as early next week, possibly for Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
Taylor tested his leg in a minor league rehab game Friday night with Triple-A Syracuse, playing six innings in center and going 1-for-4 with an RBI. He’ll play another one Sunday before the Mets decide on activation. He landed on the injured list September 2 (retroactive to August 30) right when he was heating up, slashing .367/.441/.500 over his last 34 plate appearances in August.
In his absence, veterans Cedric Mullins and Jose Siri have struggled to fill the void. Taylor shrugged off the bad timing: “I know, bad timing, man. But at the end of the day, it is what it is. All I can do is focus on getting ready and getting to where I was at as soon as possible.”
Mets Shuffle Bullpen with Richard Lovelady Addition
The Mets kept their recent habit of tweaking the bullpen, calling up left-hander Richard Lovelady to the major league roster and designating righty Wander Suero for assignment. Lovelady jumped in Saturday and tossed a scoreless inning in relief during the loss.
This season, Lovelady has appeared in six games for the Mets, allowing six earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. Mendoza brought him back partly to counter the Nationals’ lineup full of left-handed hitters, plus to ease the heavy loads on southpaws Brooks Raley and Gregory Soto.
Updates on Mets Pitchers Tylor Megill and Reed Garrett
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza hasn’t finalized plans yet for right-handers Tylor Megill and Reed Garrett, both dealing with arm issues late in the season.
Megill sprained his UCL ligament and heads to Los Angeles for an in-person doctor’s visit. Tommy John surgery remains a real possibility, which could sideline him long-term. Garrett, meanwhile, has a strained elbow ligament and is still consulting multiple doctors to map out the best recovery path.
Orioles Snag Dom Hamel off Waivers from Mets
The Baltimore Orioles claimed right-hander Dom Hamel off waivers from the Mets. The 26-year-old made his big league debut earlier this week before the Mets designated him for assignment on Thursday. Baltimore sent him to Triple-A Norfolk to keep developing.
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