Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to reporters ahead of Saturday’s Subway Series matchup against the Yankees, and gave some updates on the team…
Dedniel Núñez still “going to be a big part of this team”
New York optioned the relief pitcher to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported, as Mendoza said he needs to see more consistent strike-throwing from him.
“Feel like even though the past two outings he’s been better, we just need to see consistency with the strike-throwing,” Mendoza said. “That’s what made this guy elite last year and became who he was last year for us. First couple of outings we saw the inconsistencies with the strike-throwing.
“But it was good to see him yesterday, 98 (mph), and he was a lot better. He’s just got to go down there and find that consistency, and just continue to throw strikes.”
Mendoza was asked how Núñez received the message and made it clear he’s still in the team’s plans going forward.
“Nobody’s happy when you tell them they’re going back to the minor leagues, but he’s a professional, he understood, he gets it,” Mendoza said. “He was fine, he was professional. He just got to keep working. He’s going to be a big part of this team and he’ll be back.”
What LHP Jose Castillo brings to NY
The Mets acquired Castillo from the Diamondbacks on Thursday, adding a second left-hander to their bullpen.
Mendoza discussed how the 29-year-old can help the team against lineups like the Yankees and Dodgers.
“It definitely helps, especially when you’re going against a lineup like this (Yankees), or Boston, or the Dodgers coming up,” Mendoza said. “We know the stuff is there. He’s a lefty that throws hard, he’s got a breaking ball, a slider. We saw him not too long ago.
“This is a guy that when he’s healthy, he’s got the talent. He’s dealt a lot with injuries in the past, but he was a big-time prospect coming up with the Padres. We feel like there’s more in the tank there and hopefully he can be a player for us out of the bullpen.”
Castillo had struggled in five games for the Diamondbacks this season with a 11.37 ERA across 6.1 innings. Although, he had a strong 2018 season in San Diego with a 3.29 ERA over 37 games with 52 strikeouts before injuries started to derail his career, including an ACL tear causing him to miss all of 2024. Castillo pitched just three times from 2019 through 2024.
Latest on Paul Blackburn and Frankie Montas
Blackburn made another rehab start on Friday night for Double-A Binghamton, allowing five runs (three earned) on one hit (a home run) over 4.1 IP. He struck out seven and walked one.
Mendoza was asked what’s the next steps for Blackburn before returning to the bigs, saying he’ll get at least another rehab start.
“He was good. Five ups, up to 73, 74 pitches. He’s going one more, at least, in the minor leagues and then we’ll have a decision there,” Mendoza said. “As of right now, came out fine. We’ll give him one more in the minor leagues.”
Over five minor league starts during his rehab assignment, Blackburn owns an 0-2 record with a 5.63 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 16.0 IP.
As for Montas (lat), who threw a live bullpen session on Friday in Brooklyn, the starter is getting closer to a rehab assignment of his own.
“Good. So he’s got another one Tuesday I think it is and then we’ll go from there,” Mendoza said Saturday,
The 32-year-old has yet to make his Mets debut, but pitched to a 4.84 ERA last season with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.
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