Mets reliever Dedniel Nunez has been sidelined on the 15-day injured list since July 26 due to a strained right forearm, which disrupted his impressive rookie performance. The Dominican right-hander has posted a strong 2.43 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 33.1 innings for New York and has recorded a 2-0 record with one save this season.
In a year where the Mets’ bullpen has experienced significant fluctuations, including a turbulent stretch for ace closer Edwin Diaz, Nunez has provided a steady presence. As he nears his return, he aims to continue this consistency. According to CBS Sports, Nunez will begin throwing from the bullpen on Sunday. Their Roto Wire team reported that while Nunez was eligible for reinstatement on Thursday and was initially expected to return soon after the 15-day minimum, he is now behind schedule and will likely need several bullpen sessions before he can be activated.
The Mets’ bullpen has accumulated 31 saves this season, ranking seventh in the majors, but has only managed one save in August. They’ve limited blown saves to 17, placing them in the middle of the league. With the Mets needing strong performances in high-leverage situations, Nunez could play a crucial role in setting up late-game scenarios and might even be called upon for ninth-inning duties before the season ends.
Nunez has excelled at home, with an outstanding 0.50 ERA and 0.667 WHIP in 18 innings at Citi Field, compared to a 4.70 ERA and 1.239 WHIP on the road. He has also excelled in clutch moments, holding opponents to a .135 batting average with two outs.
He has primarily pitched in the sixth through eighth innings and is expected to return to one of those roles when he rejoins Mets manager Carlos Mendoza’s lineup, alongside Diaz and Reed Garrett. With 22 home games remaining, Nunez’s return could be vital for the Mets (61-56) in their push for a playoff spot as the season progresses.
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