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PORT ST. LUCIE — One spot remains, as the Mets look for the last arm to complete their bullpen.
Huascar Brazobán will be part of that Opening Day bullpen, manager Carlos Mendoza revealed Monday, leaving only one available spot for a reliever.
Of course, it takes only a sore arm for the equation to suddenly change, but the Mets have Brazobán, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, Tobias Myers and Luis García for six of the seven jobs.
The Mets would normally have eight relievers, but their plan to carry six starting pitchers subtracts from the bullpen.
And Mendoza doesn’t expect resolution on the final reliever until after the Mets break camp next Monday.
“Since I have been in this level, as a coach, bench coach or manager, that last part of the bullpen is usually not [decided] until hours before Opening Day because there’s so much that can happen,” Mendoza said. “We’re still a long way from having that conversation.”
Among the possibilities is a reliever from another camp will become available before Opening Day. But the Mets’ primary internal options for the final spot appear to be possible future Hall of Famer Craig Kimbrel and lefty Bryan Hudson, who was acquired in a trade with the White Sox at the start of camp.
Brazobán’s inclusion on the roster gives the Mets an option capable of pitching beyond one inning — Myers, who has stretched out in camp as a starter also fits the description.
Brazobán pitched 1 ¹/₃ scoreless innings with three strikeouts for the Dominican Republic on Sunday against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Overall, the right-hander retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced in the tournament.
“I don’t know that we’re looking at results, even though it’s a pretty competitive environment, facing some of the best hitters in the world on that stage,” Mendoza said. “It was good to see him throw the ball the way he did. Not surprising.
“I think the biggest thing we were looking at was the buildup. Making sure the one plus that he ended up doing, close to 30 pitches. So, the fact that fortunately they lost and we’re going to get him back, but he’s coming back in a pretty good spot as far as buildup and us being comfortable using him for one plus when we need it.”
Brazobán, who has a minor league option remaining, pitched to a 3.57 ERA in 52 appearances for the Mets last season.
How the Mets fill the final bullpen spot could be dependent on whether the team decides a second lefty is necessary.
Brooks Raley is the primary lefty to start the season and with A.J. Minter rehabbing until May from surgery to repair a torn lat, Hudson could be in position to claim the opening. Hudson struggled last season after thriving for the Brewers in 2024.
“I like the velo there, it seems to be back,” Mendoza said. “That is something he kind of got away with last year. I like the breaking ball.”
Kimbrel, 37, has pitched to a 2.25 ERA in four appearances this spring, but has struggled with control — he’s walked four and hit two batters in four innings of work.
“I guess it really depends on how I look the next week,” Kimbrel said of his chances. “I have got three outings until we get out of here, so just kind of turn it up and get ready for the season.”
Kimbrel, who arrived in a minor league deal — he will receive $2.5 million if he makes the major league roster — acknowledged there have been positives and negatives this spring in his attempt to extend a 16-year career in which he’s amassed 440 saves.
“The positive is I have been able to work out of some of the stuff that I have gotten into,” Kimbrel said. “The negatives are I have walked some guys, hit some guys. The guys I have hit have been pitches I have been working on, but just making steps and hopefully I can put that pitch [a cutter] into my arsenal and be more effective.”
