The Mets have designated right-hander Jordan Yamamoto for assignment in order to open a spot on the roster for left-hander Chasen Shreve, whose contract has been selected to the 40-man roster, per the team’s transaction log at MLB.com. Shreve told reporters earlier this week that he’d been informed he’s made the roster.
Yamamoto, 25, joined the Mets last offseason in a trade that sent minor league infielder Federico Polanco to the Marlins. He only made two appearances with the big league club and tallied only 32 2/3 minor league innings while battling a right shoulder injury. Originally drafted by the Brewers, Yamamoto was part of the Christian Yelich blockbuster with the Marlins and made his big league debut with the Fish in 2019, pitching to a solid 4.46 ERA with a 25.2% strikeout rate and 11.1% walk rate in 78 2/3 frames.
The shortened 2020 season was a nightmare for Yamamoto, as he surrendered 24 runs in just 10 2/3 innings. That ballooned his career ERA north of 6.00, but Yamamoto has generally been a solid pitcher in limited work outside that outlier season. He carries a career 3.79 ERA with a 25.3% strikeout rate, a 6.9% walk rate and a 44.6% ground-ball rate in 495 2/3 minor league innings as well.
Yamamoto does have a minor league option remaining, so it’s certainly possible that another club in need of some rotation depth will take a chance on a still-young righty who has had plenty of minor league success and also some success in the big leagues (2020 aside). The Mets will have a week to trade Yamamoto or attempt to pass him through outright waivers. If he clears waivers, they can assign him to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the season, and he’ll continue to serve as depth in the upper levels of their system. Given that Jacob deGrom is expected to miss months and the Mets’ rotation has several other injury risks and situations worth monitoring, that’d be a welcome bonus for the organization.
With deGrom slated to start the year on the injured list, it’s looking increasingly like young righty Tylor Megill will be tabbed as New York’s Opening Day starter (Twitter link via Mike Puma of the New York Post). Max Scherzer has been slowed a minor hamstring issue but is back on track and looks ticketed for the season’s second game. Taijuan Walker recently had what the team hopes to be a minor knee issue pop up in his final spring start. Carlos Carrasco is looking for a rebound after an injury-ruined 2021 season, and righty Chris Bassitt, acquired from the A’s over the winter, is expected to round out the Mets’ rotation to begin the season.
Odd choice for a Team needing SP depth.
Could of just 60 day Dl’d DeGrom as he won’t be pitching for them until June. LOL Mets
Tbh good pickup for any team in need for a starter, can run innings until the bullpen is ready
He has starting experience but I don’t think he’s a starter, myself. He hasn’t shown he can get through a lineup more than one turn, on a regular basis. At least not in the majors. He also seems to spend a lot of time on the IL. Having said that, I’m still a bit surprised that the Mets DFA’d him since they need rotation depth. Putting DeGrom on the 60 day IL would be premature at this point. If his injury turns out to be more serious, he can always go on it retroactively. Someone had to go to make room for Shreve. Yamamoto was the odd man out. I can see him winding up back with the Mets at some point
Mark my words he’ll be an Angel.
Suga Monkey Don’t I know you from somewhere?
I still think Yamamoto has a bit of upside. I hope he gets a shot at a rotation spot with a rebuilding team.
Opening Day starter for Pirates.
He’s overqualified.
*ROCHESTER RABBITS
Rochester Dead Rabbits
We all know that Yamamoto is a Japanese name but not many know that Jordan is also Japanese. It means “joke”. No l’m not joking, ask the sushi chef next time you go to your favorite Japanese cuisine. But be extra careful he could be Chinese…
Lololol the Mets need pitching but designate s starter. I can’t. I’m a Mets fan and lolmets keep coming up
Scherzer, Bassitt, Walker, Carrasco, Megill to start the season. You can call up Yamamato, Pederson when you need them. Roll with this offense. See if it clicks. I see no reason to panic yet. Question marks? Of course. But no need to jump off a cliff.
The “cookie” has crumbled in Carrasco and Walker couldn’t even pitch a complete season last year and now is injured and got LIT UP!
So all you have left is Scherzer, Bassitt and Megill who I do like.
Scherzer pitched high leverage innings deep into the year.
Mets are in BIG trouble and Eppler is a moron.
Cano does suck. Good name
Walkers knee is messed up and Carrasco is cooked. What are ye smoking? Pass it
Could be a pickup for the A’s.
And to think that the Mets and their fans tried to paint the narrative that Yamamoto would be fixed by them. It was clearly some more Mets Hyperbole.
Based on Yamamoto’s time with the Marlins, he seems to have a work ethic problem.
What Met fan ever painted such a narrative?
SNY broadcast team…and some of the usual suspects for blind homerism on this site.
Yea I’ll give you the SNY team. They do tend to paint some absurd narratives
The trolls here continue to make believe we’re the lolmets still, when clearly we’re not. Injuries are expected, deGrom’s moreso than anyone else after last year. It’ll get taken care of, don’t you worry.
Clearly you’re not??? So let’s cancel the season then because that will be proof of nothing.