The Mets recalled Nunez from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.
Nunez was one of the Mets' best relievers down the stretch last season when healthy, posting a 2.31 ERA and 48:8 K:BB over 35 innings in 2024. However, he has struggled to replicate it this year after overcoming an arm issue, particularly from a control perspective, with a combined 17 walks in 22.2 frames between Syracuse and the majors.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Optioned to Triple-A
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The Mets optioned Nunez to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
Nunez will be sent to the minors as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Jose Castillo, who was acquired by the Mets in a trade with Arizona on Thursday. Nunez allowed three earned runs in 3.2 innings during his time in the big leagues.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Should return in April
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Nunez is eligible to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse on April 11 after being optioned Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander was brought along slowly in camp after missing almost the entire second half of last season due to forearm trouble, and while he's healthy now, Nunez simply ran out of time to get fully built up. He's still expected to be a big part of the Mets' high-leverage crew in 2025, and should re-join the big-league bullpen once the team is confident he can handle a normal usage pattern.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Sent to minors
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Nunez has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
Nunez emerged as a key part of New York's bullpen as a rookie last year, posting a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB while racking up nine holds and a save over 25 regular-season appearances spanning 35 innings. He allowed two runs over two innings with a 3:0 K:B this spring, but the Mets have decided to have Nunez begin the campaign in the minors. The right-hander didn't pitch in a spring game until March 17 as he continued to recover from a flexor strain that ended his season in July of last year. It's likely that Nunez will be back up with the big club after having more time to ramp up in the minors.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Sharp in spring debut
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Nunez struck out one in a scoreless inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
The right-hander was brought along slowly in camp after arm trouble derailed his second half in 2024, but Nunez looked just about ready for Opening Day in his first game action of the spring Monday. He needed just 11 pitches (eight strikes) to breeze through some Tampa Bay minor-league hitters in the seventh inning, and per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Nunez topped out at 98 mph with his fastball. "I was very grateful to get back out there," Nunez said through an interpreter after the game. "I feel healthy, I feel strong. I'm trying to avoid having any setbacks... I'm just trying to continue to push forward." Nunez was a breakout bullpen star in the first half of last season, and he finished the campaign with a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB through his first 35 big-league innings. If he can stay on the mound, the 28-year-old could be a key setup man for Edwin Diaz in 2025.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Spring debut set for Monday
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Nunez (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Rays, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Nunez has been slow-played this spring following a flexor strain in the second half of last season, but he's progressed well, most recently completing a two-inning live batting practice session Thursday without issue. The Mets have not ruled Nunez out for Opening Day. Having Nunez available right out of the chute would be a lift for the Mets after the righty posted a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB over 35 relief innings in 2024.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Being brought along slowly in camp
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Nunez has yet to throw a live batting practice session in camp as the Mets prioritize having the right-hander healthy for Opening Day, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Nunez tossed his second bullpen session of the spring Saturday, but after his 2024 campaign ended early due to forearm trouble and a setback in December prevented him from pitching in winter ball, the organization doesn't want to push him too quickly. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner didn't even rule out Nunez beginning the season on IL or at Triple-A Syracuse if he needs an extra week or two. "In the range of outcomes, that's definitely a part of it," Hefner said Saturday. "It's our hope to get him ready, and he's on track to be ready. But we are not going to force him into something he's not ready for." Once he is deemed ready, Nunez will have a high-leverage spot in the Mets' bullpen waiting for him after posting a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and dazzling 48:8 K:BB over his first 35 big-league innings.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Plays catch, but status uncertain
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Nunez (forearm) played catch Thursday, but his availability remains unclear, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Nunez wasn't available for Wednesday's game in Arizona due to right forearm tightness, which is the same injury he just recently returned from. He could be headed back to the injured list, but the Mets also didn't rule out the possibility that he's available to pitch as soon as Thursday. It's a wide range of outcomes for one of the team's best relievers this season.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Forearm issues return
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Nunez wasn't available for Wednesday's 8-5 loss to the Diamondbacks due to forearm tightness, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
Nunez returned from the injured list Friday after spending nearly a month on the shelf due to a right forearm strain. He went 1.2 innings and struck out three batters during his first appearance back Saturday, but manager Carlos Mendoza said the 28-year-old reliever hasn't recovered properly from the outing and is once again experiencing forearm problems. He's considered day-to-day for now, though the Mets will likely want to take a closer look at him to determine if he'll need to make another trip to the IL.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Officially reinstated
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The Mets reinstated Nunez (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
As expected, Nunez will come off the injured list Friday after spending almost a month on the shelf with a pronator strain in his right forearm. Prior to the injury, Nunez logged a 2.43 ERA with nine holds across 33.1 innings for the Mets. Huascar Brazoban was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Likely to return Friday
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Nunez (forearm) is expected to be activated from the injured list Friday, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.
Nunez made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday and threw a scoreless inning. He's flying to meet the Mets for their road trip in San Diego and is set to be activated, assuming he can get through another throwing session without issue.
Nunez (forearm) threw 20 pitches of live batting practice Friday and expects to begin a rehab assignment next, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.
Nunez went up against batters for the first time since being placed on the injured list July 26 and left the session without a setback. While it's unclear when he'll be shipped out for a minor-league rehab assignment, the 28-year-old expects a rehab stint to be the next step in his recovery from a strained right forearm.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Starting mound work
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Nunez (forearm) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Nunez hasn't thrown a bullpen since going on the shelf July 26, so Sunday's session marks a significant step in the 28-year-old's recovery from a strained right forearm. Nunez became eligible for reinstatement Thursday and was initially expected to be back shortly after the minimum 15 days. However, he's behind schedule and will likely require multiple bullpens before being activated.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Records two-inning save
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Nunez earned a save against the Rockies on Saturday, striking out three batters over two perfect frames.
Nunez entered in the eighth inning in a tight situation with New York up one run and runners on first and second base with no outs. He induced a double play and a foul out to impressively escape the jam, then watched the Mets score three times in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander returned for the ninth and struck out all three batters he faced to cap his first big-league save. Nunez isn't likely to see many more save opportunities with Edwin Diaz established as New York's closer, but the rookie has nonetheless worked his way up to high-leverage work with an impressive campaign during which he's recorded a 2.35 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 39:5 K:BB through 30.2 frames. In addition to Saturday's save, he's registered seven holds and two wins through 21 outings.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Returns to mound Sunday
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Nunez (nose) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one in a one-inning relief appearance during Sunday's 5-2 win over the Cubs.
Nunez had not pitched since June 15 due to a sinus infection, and he wasn't very sharp after a whole week off. The right-hander served up a two-run home run to Christopher Morel, but that was all the Cubs could muster. Nunez has a 2.89 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 27:4 K:BB over 18.2 innings this season, and he's added four holds while occasionally seeing high-leverage assignments.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Recalled from Triple-A
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The Mets recalled Nunez from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Nunez has allowed three runs while boasting a 13:3 K:BB over 8.1 innings out of the Mets' bullpen this season. He will operate in middle relief.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Up as 27th man
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The Mets recalled Nunez from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Nunez will serve as the Mets' 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Dodgers and will be available for both games. The right-handed reliever has made four appearances with the big club this season, allowing three runs with a 10:2 K:BB over 6.1 frames. He will likely be sent back down after the doubleheader.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Back with Mets
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The Mets recalled Nunez from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Nunez allowed one run in two innings during his MLB debut against Atlanta on April 9, and he has thrown 7.1 scoreless frames this season in the minors. He'll return to the big leagues to replace Drew Smith (shoulder), who was placed on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.
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Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Contract selected
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The Mets selected Nunez's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
The Mets needed a bullpen reinforcement and will turn to Nunez, who had a 5:1 K:BB over 3.1 scoreless frames for Syracuse. The 27-year-old will be making his major-league debut whenever he gets into a game.
