Mets Designate Boyer, Demote Duda, and Promote Igarashi and Isringhausen

It’s good to see that Sandy Alderson cares about my sentiments. The Mets acted quickly on the Blaine Boyer experiment after the righty lost his second game of the season with a horrendous 4 earned-run/2 inning outing today against the Nationals. The reliever had posted a dismal 0-2 record in orange and blue, while allowing an astounding 13 hits, 8 earned-runs, 1 walk, and striking-out just 1 batter in 6.6 innings. The move is hardly surprising, and it will be nice to see former Mets farmhand, Jason Isringhausen, back in a Mets uniform–yet the Igarashi promotion, especially at the expense of Duda’s bat, seems a bit odd.

Ryota Igarashi came over from the Yakult Swallows of the Japan league last season when the Mets signed him to a two year, $3 million contract. While the Mets were successful with their other Japanese import (Hisanori Takahashi), Igarashi posted a disappointing 7.12 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and a 1.39 K/BB ratio in 30.3 IP last season. The right-handed reliever went into Spring Training without a guaranteed spot, and was optioned to Triple-A before the start of the 2011 season. It’s doubtful the Mets plan to use Igarashi in any tight spot, leaving him for mop-up duties.

Considering the Mets also have Pat Misch and Manny Acosta in Triple-A, it’s a bit nonsensical that neither experienced pitcher got the call. In addition, since the Mets only have one left-handed pitcher in their bullpen, promoting Misch over Igarashi would have given Manager Terry Collins a solid second option.