2023 Mets midseason grades: Relief pitchers

Tommy Hunter – 2023 Mets relief pitcher grade

1st Half Stats: 23.2 IP, 14 games, 0-1, 6.85 ERA, 20 K, 5 BB, 61 ERA+

Tommy Hunter was terrific in limited opportunities last year for the Mets, and he deserved another chance. His season started late as he spent the first three weeks of the season on the injured list due to back spasms. But his season was like Stephen Nogosek’s, as there were too many occasions where his appearances hindered the Mets chances to win as reasonable comeback chances turned into blowouts.

But the shellacking against Hunter was worse and harder. He gave up at least two runs in six of his 14 appearances, as opponents hit .357 against him with men in scoring position, while much of his other appearances were solely to give the bullpen rest with games already conceded. Hunter was designated for assignment by the Mets on June 10, released three days later, and still does not have another team. Who knows if baseball has seen the last of Tommy Hunter.

Grade: F

John Curtiss – 2023 Mets relief pitcher grade

1st Half Stats: 17.2 IP, 13 games, 0-0, 4.08 ERA, 11 K, 6 BB, 103 ERA+

John Curtiss was a sneaky smart add by the Mets last year despite recovering from Tommy John surgery. And by most measures, he’s been somewhat of an above average pitcher, as the righty's ERA is 3 percent better than league average.

Early on, he was a big boost to this Mets team by attacking the strike zone and keeping the opposition off base. He then began to have a wild strike zone, and it led to bad results as he was sent down to the minors by the beginning of May as he had options on his contract. He had another brief stint with the Mets in mid-June where he was effective then, before being sent down again.

Only three bad outings out of 13? Not bad post-Tommy John surgery.

Grade: B