Reese Kaplan -- Filling the Minter Bullpen Vacancy From Syracuse

There’s the easy way of doing things and then there’s the hard way of doing things.  These two approaches will be contrasted as the Mets face the prospect of filling the roster vacancy created with the triceps soreness that forced A.J. Minter from the game on Saturday.  

No matter how mild or severe the injury turns out to be, the best course of action beyond physical therapy and testing limits is rest.  Therefore it is highly anticipated that he will be hitting the IL to force the team’s hand instead of rushing him back prematurely. 

For the easy route, you simply look over the 40-man roster and figure out who is currently in the minor leagues that could temporarily occupy the A.J. Minter roster spot.  That list includes five distinct possibilities — Justin Hagenman, Kevin Herget, Dedniel Nunez, Austin Warren and Tyler Zuber.  For any of them it’s simply a matter of exercising an option and sending the Uber drive to go pick the lucky man up.

The absolutely easiest one to select would be Hagenman.  He’s already exercised a 2025 option earlier this year and made his late rookie appearance as a final option to pitch.  

He appeared in exactly 1 third of an inning and exited the major leagues with a 2.70 ERA for his work.  In the minors he’s been far less effective with an ERA north of 6.00 and a horrific WHIP.  His minors career in general is a bit better with a 3.95 ERA spread from 2018 to the present.  Having floated between starting and relief assignments he would be semi well suited to a bullpen position.

Then there’s the 2024 “where did he come from?” wonder, Dedniel Nunez.  He’s showing health which is the main thing but his output has not been the type to earn his way back to the big team.  Right now he’s been in 9 games with 9 innings pitched.  The ERA has come down to 4.00 which is not what he did in 2024 on the big club, but still not terrific.  

What’s especially concerning is his control.  While striking out over 12 per 9 IP, he’s walking 7.  Ouch.  Giving him Minter’s slot would be more about 2024 memories than 2025 accomplishments.  He’s not a perfect choice at this point either. 

One of the out-of-the-blue ideas would be southpaw veteran Kevin Herget who has had a similar volume of work as has Nunez.  The difference is the ERA is more than a quater run lower, the strikeouts are a manageable just under 1 per inning pitched but the walks are a much more impressive 1.9 over 9 innings.  

For his long minor league career over 12 seasons he owns a 3.49 ERA so it’s not as if he’s been a bad pitcher.  Given his left handed orientation, he’s a much more direct temporary replacement for Minter. 

Austin Warren is a younger option but his numbers don’t suggest he’s a prime choice.  Yes, his ERA is under 4.00, but he’s only been in 6.1 innings pitched and has walked 6.8 per 9 IP go go along with whiffing 13.5 over the same interval.  Good arm but a wild man, the 29 year old Warren doesn’t seem like a likely option.

Finally there’s Tyler Zuber.  The now 30 year old has had a decent minor league career but he’s not showing off his best effort in 2025.  His ERA is in Hagenman territory and his strikeouts are way down from the past.  Given his age and output he’s more likely someone whose residence on the 40-man roster who may be dropped when the club needs the vacancy for someone else.

Granted, I’m not David Stearns and there is comfort with someone you’ve seen before, but lefty Kevin Herget would be the best temporary option.