Mets 2026 Positional Outlook: Relievers

The bullpen has the potential to be better than last season’s even with the loss of elite closer Edwin Díaz. Devin Williams has never given up more than five home runs in a season. Díaz gave up seven in 2024 and 15 in 2019.

Ryne Stanek is gone, taking his 5.30 ERA with him. The trio the Mets picked up at the trade deadline – Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers and Gregory Soto – all signed elsewhere. Only Rogers pitched well down the stretch.

The bullpen’s 3.93 ERA ranked 15th in MLB in 2025. That number could improve, especially if the starters pitch deeper into games. The Mets ‘pen threw the third most innings (636) in MLB last year.

Who will Carlos Mendoza turn to for outs when the starters are done? Some roles are set, spring training will bring more clarity, but expect the Mets to shuttle a few of these guys from Syracuse to Citi Field and back throughout the year.

On the 40-Man Roster

Devin Williams, RHP

Age: 31 Contract: 3 years, $51 million

Let’s hope the move from the Bronx to Queens goes better than the one from Milwaukee to the Bronx. Williams, 31, lost his closer job in April to Luke Weaver (more on him soon), got it back when Weaver got hurt in June and then lost it for good in August. Still, he struck out 90 in 62 innings and while he posted a career-worst 4.79 ERA, his FIP was 2.68, suggesting he was unlucky. In 2023, when Williams’ FIP was 2.66 his ERA was 1.53.

Luke Weaver, RHP

Age: 32  Contract: 2 years, $22 million

The former starter turned in a second straight year of solid relief work overall (3.62 ERA, 72 strikeouts, 64 2/3 innings, eight saves). A note of caution: He was dominant before a hamstring injury sidelined him for a few weeks in June and shaky afterward. Before: 1.05 ERA, 25 2/3 innings. After: 5.30 ERA, 39 innings. He was also hit hard in the playoffs, giving up five earned runs and recording just one out over three appearances.

A.J. Minter, LHP

Age: 32  Contract: 2 years, $22 million

He gave up just two runs over 11 innings before a torn lat that required surgery ended his season. It was the second year in a row Minter underwent season-ending surgery. A left hip injury ended his 2024. If he isn’t ready for Opening Day, he should be after a brief stay on the injured list, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Brooks Raley, LHP

Age: 37  Contract: $4.75 million club option picked up for 2026

He looked good in his return from Tommy John surgery, making his debut in July and pitching to a 2.45 ERA over 25 2/3 innings. He struck out 25 and walked six.

Tobias Myers, RHP

Age: 27  Contract: Pre-Arbitration Eligible

He could be a valuable part of the bullpen and start in a pinch. Six of Myers’ 22 appearances last year were starts when he posted a 3.55 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 50 2/3 innings. He made 25 starts in 2024 (3.00 ERA.)

Huascar Brazobán, RHP

Age: 36 Contract: 1 year, $1.05 million

He was much better in 2025 (5-2, 3.57 ERA, 57 strikeouts, 63 innings pitched) than he was in 2024 after the Mets picked him up at the trade deadline from the Marlins.

Luis García, RHP

Age: 39 Contract: 1 year, $1.75 million

In 55 1/3 innings combined for the Dodgers, Angels and Nationals last year, he struck out 48 and pitched to a 3.42 ERA. Some of his 13-year career totals: 4.07 ERA, 583 1/3 innings, 547 strikeouts, eight teams.

Joey Gerber, RHP

Age: 28 Contract: Pre-Arbitration Eligible

He spent most of last season with Triple-A Durham, a Rays affiliate, pitching to a 6.23 ERA over 43 1/3 innings and striking out 54. He threw 4 1/3 innings for the big-league club, his first MLB work since 2020. The Mets sent cash to Tampa Bay to acquire him in November.

Austin Warren, RHP

Age: 29  Contract: First Year Arbitration Eligible, earned $785,000 in 2025

He had a taste of the big leagues (9 1/3 innings, one earned run) but spent most of the year on the farm. He struck out 58 in 50 2/3 innings at Syracuse.

Prospects

Alex Carrillo, RHP, On the 40-man roster

Age: 28 Contract: Pre-Arbitration Eligible

He debuted with the Mets last year and gave up seven runs over 4 2/3 innings. He fanned 64 in 41 2/3 innings split between Triple-A Syracuse and Double-A Binghamton. He hit 100.5 mph in the minors last year and ranked in our recent prospect countdown.

Jonathan Pintaro, RHP, On the 40-man roster

He pitched to a 4.28 ERA and struck out 103 in 82 innings for Syracuse and Binghamton (28 appearances, 16 starts).

Dylan Ross, RHP, On the 40-man roster

He struck out 80 in 54 innings at three minor-league levels in 2025 and pitched to a 2.17 ERA, climbing from High-A Brooklyn at the start of the year to being called up to the Mets on the season’s final weekend. He didn’t appear in a game for New York. He was a 13th round pick in 2022 out of the University of Georgia.

Ryan Lambert, RHP

The eighth-round 2024 pick out of the University of Oklahoma struck out 81 in 50 innings pitched for Binghamton and Brooklyn while posting a 1.62 ERA.

Douglas Orellana, RHP

He excelled at Binghamton (1.64 ERA, 46 strikeouts, 33 innings pitched) before struggling over 18 2/3 innings at Syracuse (5.30 ERA).

Nate Lavender, LHP

The former Rule 5 pick was returned to the Mets earlier in the offseason after missing the entire 2025 season following internal brace surgery. The lefty has a 3.35 ERA and an impressive 76 strikeouts in 51 career Triple-A innings.

Other prospects to watch include: RHP Saul Garcia, RHP Ben Simon and LHP Felipe De La Cruz.

Injured

Dedniel Núñez and Reed Garrett are both recovering from Tommy John surgery. Núñez, who had the procedure done last July, could return in the second half of the season. Garrett’s surgery took place in October and he is expected to miss the whole year.

Non-Roster Invitees

Headlining the list is nine-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel, 37, who gave up three earned runs in 12 innings for the Astros and Braves in 2025. Some others are RHP Adbert Alzolay, RHP Carl Edwards Jr., LHP Joe Jacques, RHP Nick Burdi, RHP Robert Stock, LHP Brandon Waddell, RHP Kevin Herget, and LHP Anderson Severino.

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