Mets Add Max Kranick, José Azócar to Roster
Updated Post – April 17 at 15:00
The Mets made several roster moves on Thursday afternoon before the start of their four-game series with the Cardinals at Citi Field. Right-hander Justin Hagenman was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after an impressive major league debut (3.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 K) on Wednesday. The Mets selected the contract of outfielder José Azócar from Triple-A Syracuse in the corresponding move.
Azócar is still hoping to make his Mets debut after being claimed off waivers from the Padres. This season in Triple-A, has a .733 OPS and four stolen bases in 11 games. In 211 major league games for the Padres, the 28-year-old has a .610 OPS and 18 stolen bases. He’s regarded as an above-average defender at all three outfield spots.
Reliever Max Kranick was optioned to Syracuse on Wednesday, but he returns on Thursday with the Mets putting outfielder Jose Siri (left tibia fracture) on the injured list.
Original Post – April 16 at 11:48
Before Wednesday’s game in Minnesota, the Mets announced they’ve recalled right-hander Justin Hagenman. He will pitch today, with Griffin Canning scratched from his start due to illness. Reliever Huascar Brazobán will be the opener for the Mets.
The corresponding move was to option Max Kranick, who threw 1 2/3 innings in Tuesday night’s 6-3 loss. Kranick is expected to return to the Mets on Thursday when they place outfielder Jose Siri on the injured list. The Mets are doing the transactions in this nature because of the 13-pitcher roster maximum and because an optioned pitcher has to stay in the minors for 15 days unless they’re replacing an injured player, as Kranick will be doing.
The Mets’ other expected roster move on Thursday is optioning Hagenman to Triple-A and bringing up an outfielder.
Hagenman, 28, will make his MLB debut at some point today as the Mets will open with Brazobán, then likely go to Hagenman for bulk after. Hagenman was acquired this offseason via free agency. The 28-year-old right-handed starter has struggled in his first two starts in Syracuse, putting up a 6.97 ERA and a 7.42 FIP in 10 innings. But in years past, he’s been solid in Triple-A, as in 2023, he put up a 2.95 ERA across 85 innings.
In other injury news, Jeff McNeil will play center field for the St. Lucie Mets during his rehab assignment. McNeil has a .921 OPS in three games so far with St. Lucie.
An earlier version of this article erroneously stated José Azócar is on the 40-man roster, he is not.
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