In a Memorable Return, Brandon Waddell Dazzles for Mets
Brandon Waddell returned to the major leagues with a performance to remember after nearly four years. On Wednesday, the New York Mets called the left-hander up from Triple-A Syracuse, and he delivered an impressive 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief against Arizona, following opener Huascar Brazobán. When Waddell left the mound, New York held a 1-0 advantage in the seventh inning, though the Diamondbacks eventually secured a 4-3 win.
“It’s great to be back,” Waddell, who is 30, expressed. “During spring training, I believed I could still excel here, which motivated my return. Being able to contribute is incredible.”
Brazobán opened for the second time this season, and Waddell was ready to handle the following innings. Making history as the first Mets player to wear No. 82, Waddell allowed only three hits and struck out a career-best four batters without issuing a walk, marking his longest major league outing across 12 games with five different teams.
Manager Carlos Mendoza was full of praise, saying, “Unbelievable performance. He was really solid.”
Waddell threw 40 of his 60 pitches for strikes and left the mound to a rousing standing ovation from the crowd at Citi Field, which numbered 31,904.
Waddell commented on the ovation, “It’s something I didn’t anticipate, but the support means so much to us players. It’s something we greatly appreciate.”
The decision to use Brazobán and Waddell was strategic for the Mets to allow ace Kodai Senga his usual fifth day of rest before he pitches in Thursday’s series finale. Waddell delivered the longest scoreless run by a Mets reliever since 2009, providing the much-needed innings.
Reflecting on his journey, Waddell, who holds an economics degree from the University of Virginia, remarked, “This game is unpredictable and teaches you valuable lessons. My journey back has been incredibly rewarding.”
In other news, the Mets placed lefty reliever Danny Young on the 15-day injured list due to a sprained pitching elbow, possibly requiring Tommy John surgery, according to Mendoza. Young had been experiencing forearm discomfort for weeks, and an MRI revealed a sprain.
The Mets are also dealing with the absence of top left-handed reliever, A.J. Minter, who suffered a significant left lat strain and is facing a possible season-ending surgery after sustaining an injury in Washington.
With Minter in a sling, lefty Brooks Raley was transferred to the 60-day IL and New York called up veteran right-hander Chris Devenski from Triple-A. Right-hander Kevin Herget was sent to Syracuse.
Mendoza commented on Waddell, stating, “He’s a seasoned pitchability-type guy, a strike thrower, who moves the ball effectively.” At 31, Waddell sits at 1-1 with a 1.54 ERA from five Triple-A starts, having logged 21 strikeouts across 23 1/3 innings.
Waddell’s previous major league appearance occurred with St. Louis against the Cubs back in July 2021. Having played in 11 major league games from 2020-21, he spent time with the Pirates, Twins, Orioles, and Cardinals, amassing an 0-1 record and a 5.68 ERA across 12 2/3 innings.
Released by the Cardinals in July 2022, Waddell then pitched in South Korea and China, playing for the Doosan Bears in the KBO, where he delivered a 7-4 record with a 3.12 ERA over 14 starts, before joining the Mets in December.
In other health-related team updates, right-hander Paul Blackburn is targeting a Class A Brooklyn rehab outing following a bullpen session on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Brandon Nimmo is improving, though sidelined by an ongoing illness circulating through the clubhouse. Nimmo pinch-hit in the eighth but didn’t start.