3:35pm: Between games of today’s doubleheader, the Mets have now announced they’ve selected Muckenhirn to the roster. In a corresponding move, right-hander Stephen Ridings was transferred to the 60-day injured list. He’s been on the IL all year due to a lat strain and now won’t be eligible to return until late May at the earliest. The 60-day count goes from his initial IL placement, not today’s transfer. Additionally, righty Denyi Reyes was optioned between games of the twin bill while José Butto was recalled.
11:28am: The Mets are set to select the contract of left-handed reliever Zach Muckenhirn in advance of today’s doubleheader against the Braves, reports Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). He’s not yet on the 40-man roster. The team has not formally announced the move, so it’s not yet clear whether Muckenhirn will be up for both games of the doubleheader or just the nightcap.
Muckenhirn, 28, inked a minor league deal with the Mets over the winter and has had a strong start in Triple-A Syracuse, where he’s held opponents to one run on 10 hits and four walks in 11 2/3 frames. The former 11th-round pick (2016, Orioles) also boasts a strong 51.3% ground-ball rate, but he’s punched out just four of his 47 opponents on the year so far (8.5%).
With Brooks Raley landing on the injured list due to elbow inflammation over the weekend and David Peterson being optioned to Syracuse as well, the Mets’ only lefty on the big league roster had been Joey Lucchesi, who’s currently working out of the rotation, Muckenhirn will give manager Buck Showalter an option in the bullpen for today’s twin bill and perhaps for the foreseeable future, depending on today’s bullpen usage.
Muckenhirn has spent the majority of his career in the Orioles organization, but he was with the White Sox organization in each of the past two seasons, generally pitching well with their Double-A and Triple-A clubs. In parts of three seasons at the Triple-A level, Muckenhirn has a 3.45 ERA with a 22.2% strikeout rate, 10.1% walk rate and a 44% ground-ball rate.
Bless you!
Probably a better lefty option than Raley, even when Raley is healthy
No.
No idea who he is, but I like the name.
Better than Muckenbarns.
For the Mets sake I hope this guy does well and not get mucked up.
Here’s hoping he’ll be muckin’ it up!
Rooted for him in the Orioles system for a long while. He was never a prospect but they did move him all the way up to AAA, and from there, there was always an outside chance he’d break with the lowly O’s– we always needed warm body pitchers. Glad he hit paydirt. Buck loves his guys.
You and his mother then must have been the sole member’s of the Zach Muchenhirn Fan Club.
So… he has you beat, 2-zip?
underrated prospect
Mets lost a close one. To the Braves.
Thoughts?
400 million dollar payroll, Denyi Reyes started the game. Something there sounds wrong. Worst GM in the game
Came here for the Muckenhirn quips, and I was sated.
Mets were looking good for a split. Until just now, when Atl tied it up.
Thoughts?
Update… Braves won a challenge. A two run double is now a three run double.
Thoughts?
Mets retake the lead!
(pronounced ‘leed’… not ‘led’)
Could it be? A save opportunity for the Muck Man?
(:0)
I am surprised TJ McFarland wasn’t selected. And he was with Buck in 2012 and 2014 in Baltimore. His stats at Syracuse this year have also been good.
Mets win despite foolishly utilizing Robertson over Muchenharm. Fans are filing out sullenly and disappointed, if not totally disillusioned.
Thoughts?
Muck man with the 0.60 WHIP and the Senator Blutarsky ERA!
A-YEA-yah!
Mets getting clawed by Tigers, whilst The Braves are curb stomping Miami.
Thoughts?