Núñez Lands on IL; Houser, Fujinami DFA’d

The New York Mets are in the middle of a playoff race in late July and are also about to play game two of a key four-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. Before the start of the game, the Mets made a series of roster moves that included reinstating starting pitcher Kodai Senga from the injured list. Senga will make his season debut on Friday. That wasn’t all. New York also lost yet another key reliever, and he’s arguably been their most consistent arm out of the bullpen this season: Dedniel Núñez. Núñez was placed on the 15-day IL with a right pronator strain. 

The Mets also announced they have designated reliever Adrian Houser for assignment. Houser was recently moved out of the starting rotation and into the bullpen. The team also designated Shintaro Fujinami for assignment. With the injury to Núñez and Houser DFA’d, the Mets will recall Eric Orze from Triple-A Syracuse.

Photo by Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports

Impact Of Losing Núñez

Núñez’s injury is the latest blow to a bullpen that lost Brooks Raley and Drew Smith for the season. Additionally, Sean Reid-Foley and Reed Garrett are still on the injured list. Núñez has been dynamic since bursting onto the scene this season. He’s compiled a 2.43 ERA in 24 games with 45 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings of work. With injuries, Edwin Díaz‘s inconstancies, the struggles of Adam Ottavino and Jake Diekman, and the overall struggles of the bullpen, Núñez was a bright spot for a group that desperately needed it. 

Houser struggled as a starter with an 8.16 ERA. He had an ERA of 4.2o since moving to the bullpen. José Buttó has now emerged as a multi-innings reliever out of the bullpen. Fujinami came to the Mets with potential but continued to struggle with command. Overall, the bullpen continues to be a glaring hole that David Stearns is going to have to fix soon.

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