Tommy Hunter is back with the Mets on a minor-league deal, according to Britt Ghiroli and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Hunter, 35, played for the Mets in 2021. He made four appearances, including one start, throwing eight scoreless innings. Hunter was with the Mets from May 6 to May 21 before back pain sent him to the injured list.
Hunter was later shifted to the 60-day IL in June and 10 days later it was speculated he wouldn’t pitch again during the season. Hunter was traded from the Mets to the Rays in a deal that sent Rich Hill to New York.
Hunter, now healthy, threw for scouts from multiple teams last Friday in Florida. The right-hander’s fastball hit 95 miles per hour multiple times, putting him near previous velocity heights says Ghiroli.
Hunter will report to Port St. Lucie this week and could be ready to join the majors by June as he ramps up.
“We’re going to give him an opportunity and he’s going to have to take it and run with it,” Buck Showalter said. “He’s got a lot of competition.”
“He’s got a big arm, he’s not scared,” Showalter said. “Very competitive nature and people like having him around on their club because he’s very accountable. When you need him to pitch he doesn’t ask you what role, he goes what time do you need me? He’s a hands-on-deck guy. I like Tommy.”
Hunter pitched with the Baltimore Orioles from 2011-to-2016 when Showalter was the manager. In his six seasons in Baltimore, Hunter made 224 appearances, pitching to a 4.16 ERA in 407 innings.
With teams needing every bullpen arm they can get, Hunter will have opportunities to join the Mets should someone go down later in the season. Showalter’s and the front office’s familiarity with Hunter should only help that.
