Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Left-handed pitcher Thomas Szapucki has been cut and optioned to minor league camp, Anthony DiComo of MLB tweeted Saturday. He’s the second player the Mets have cut so far, with Jordan Yamamoto being cut on Friday.
The move leaves 58 players left in Mets camp.
Szapucki, 25, has had trouble with injuries in his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017, and most recently dealt with ulnar nerve transposition surgery. He made his MLB debut in 2021, giving up six runs in 3 2/3 innings with the Mets.
It’s been a struggle for Szapucki, whose top prospect status has gradually decreased as he’s dealt with these injuries off the field and control issues on the field. His longest professional season was 2019, when he posted a 2.63 ERA and 10.5 K/9 in 21 games over three minor league levels.
Yamamoto, 25, gave up six runs (three earned) in 6 2/3 innings last year for the Mets. He had a decent 2019 season for the Marlins, putting up a 4.46 ERA and 9.4 K/9 over 15 starts.
With the Mets’ recent acquisitions of Max Scherzer, Szapucki and Yamamoto have fallen further down the rotation depth chart than they already were. Yamamoto might get more of a chance on a team with a weaker rotation, such as the Marlins or last year’s Mets. Either of them could still be called upon if things get ugly in the rotation or if the Mets want to try either of them as a reliever.
In Szapucki’s case, one thing that could help him is the Mets’ lack of lefties. But he’s struggled to get into top form with his injury troubles.
