Mets Bullpen: Breaking down relievers usage after 15 games

Are the New York Mets perfect? At 8-7 through their first 15 games – they are anything but perfect. Already this season, there have been multiple games they play as if they can win it all or they play as if they should tear it all down.

One game, it may be the bats giving a glimmer of their offensive potential while the pitchers falter. Another game may be a quality start with no run support. And of course, sometimes it comes back to bullpen issues.

By no means has the bullpen been lockdown, but it is clear they are better than in 2020. Here is how the bullpen has been used through 15 games this season…

Early injuries for the Mets

As they seemingly do at some point every year, the Mets bullpen deals with a couple of injuries to key players. This season, it may not be many, though the Mets are already without a few arms.

Entering the season, the Mets knew they would be without star reliever Seth Lugo for a bit. The shutdown righty had surgery to remove a bone spur prior to Opening Day and has only recently begun throwing. Chances are Lugo will not be back for at least another month.

Another blow was to Dellin Betances, who recently was moved to the 60-Day IL. Betances has been out since April 8th, after just making his debut the night before. In one inning, he threw 21 pitches, walked a batter, and gave up one earned run, as he continues to look like a shell of his former All-Star self.

Ultimately, the Mets bullpen has been manageable despite being without Lugo and Betances this season. Then again, both would be welcomed back anytime to provide more reinforcements.

The big guns

Right off of the bat, there is nobody more consistent for the Mets out of the pen than Seth Lugo. That simply has been the case for the Amazins’ ever since he hit the majors.

However, the Mets have multiple guys who are pitching their way into being manager Luis Rojas’ top relievers this season. And those guys are Miguel Castro and Edwin Diaz.

When the Mets acquired Miguel Castro at last year’s trade deadline, few knew what to make of the move. New York was not a true contender in the National League, and Castro only had a deal done through 2022. In ten games for the Mets, one may question the trade given his 11 hits given up in nine innings of work.

Well, through seven games, Castro has been worth it. In seven innings pitched, Castro has struck out 12 on his way to a 2.57 earned run average. The 26-year-old righty has shown he can hurl over 70 innings in a season, and he may be relied on to do it again in 2021.

Meanwhile, Edwin Diaz is making it seem as if his horrific 2019 season is really a fluke. In the shortened 2020 season, he owned an amazing 1.75ERA in 25.5 innings compared to his 5.59ERA in 2019.

Fast forward to today, where Diaz is once again looking like a shutdown closer once again. In eight innings, Diaz has two saves and has a 2.25ERA. All numbers that the Mets anticipated getting from the former All-Star when they acquired him in 2019.

Again, Lugo’s return is going to be huge for the Mets. Nonetheless, with Castro and Diaz pitching so well, the Mets are well-positioned until then.

The questionable arms

As every team has seen so far, there are guys who are going to start the year slow. Whether it be a slugger or a starter, it is bound to happen. The only difference is that relievers get fewer opportunities to rebound before they are out of chance.

After five innings of work, Jacob Barnes is quickly approaching that point. He owns a 9.00ERA, having given up five earned runs on six hits, two of them being home runs. Barnes pitched a strong spring training to make the roster, just his performance to start the year has been very underwhelming.

As for Trevor Hildenberger, he already has gotten optioned to the alternate training site. Hildenberger was solid in his Mets debut on April 17th before giving up four earned runs in 1.1 innings against the Chicago Cubs on April 21st.

The Sleepers

When Hildenberger was optioned, the Mets recalled Sean Reid-Foley from the alternate training site. He may have only pitched one game, but his three-shutout innings against the Chicago Cubs following Hildenberger’s rough outing was mighty impressive. The 6-3- and 230-pound righty is worth monitoring moving forward.

And how can one forget the Mets lone lefty bullpen arm Aaron Loup? An underappreciated signing in the off-season, Loup has been stellar to start the year. In 3.1 innings of work across four games, he has only let three get on base and has yet to allow a run.

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Of course, the Mets are only 15 games into the 162-game regular season. At the same time, if the relievers continue to pitch the way they have, Rojas may actually have a dependable bullpen in 2021.