The Mets activated reliever AJ Minter from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, bringing an end to a 14-month wait to return to action after undergoing surgery to repair a torn lat last spring.
The 32-year-old, who joined the Mets last season after eight years with the Atlanta Braves, posted a 1.64 ERA in 13 appearances before going down at the end of April.
His return provides the Mets with another late-inning option alongside Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and Brooks Raley. He also becomes a third left-handed option, joining Raley and Sean Manaea.
Jacob Young was also activated off the IL after missing six weeks due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. Starting the season 7-for-20 before suffering his injury, he gives the Mets a left-handed option at first base to create a platoon with righty Mark Vientos.
In corresponding moves, the Mets optioned outfielder Nick Morabito and reliever Jonathan Pintaro to Triple-A Syracuse. Morabito failed to record a hit in 11 at-bats in the majors, while Pintaro helped save New York’s bullpen on Monday night by going 2.2 shutout, hitless innings after Nolan McLaen was shellacked for seven runs in 3.1 frames.
Outfielder Tyrone Taylor, who left Monday night’s loss to the Cincinnati Reds early after pulling up lame while breaking out of the box on a sixth-inning grounder, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hip flexor strain.
An MRI was scheduled for Tuesday, but manager Carlos Mendoza was all but certain, following Monday’s loss, that Taylor would land on the IL. Now, without their fourth outfielder, more opportunities open for MJ Melendez or even Young, who is also capable of playing the corners.
The Mets also recalled veteran journeyman Eric Wagaman from Triple-A. The 28-year-old, capable of playing first, left, and third, last appeared in the majors last season with the Miami Marlins, hitting .250 with nine home runs and 53 RBI in 140 games. He was batting .372 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 13 games with Triple-A Syracuse.
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