Hansel Robles, New York Mets
Apr 5, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Hansel Robles (47) walks off the field after allowing a run during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets recalled lefty reliever Josh Smoker and demoted Hansel Robles as the corresponding move.

In a startling move that reveals just how much the Mets’ bullpen has fallen from grace, the team announced Tuesday that Hansel Robles has been demoted as the corresponding move to Josh Smoker’s call-up.

Robles, 26, has struggled just like the rest of the team’s relievers as of late. He’s posted an alarming 6.23 ERA and has given up twelve runs in his last two innings of work. Most importantly, his usage has been maniacal: he’s appeared in exactly half of the team’s games, despite never being known as a workhorse.

Fingers can be pointed at a number of individuals, but at the end of the day, he’s in Las Vegas and Smoker’s in Flushing. The Mets have to fix their ‘pen problems somehow, and switching things up a little bit could be a start.

It’s not going to be enough, however.

Even if one player could carry the unit on his back, Smoker wouldn’t be the one. While he’s had his ups this season (i.e. his three innings of shutout in relief during an extra inning game), he’s also had his downs: his 7.88 ERA isn’t exactly encouraging.

Still, the Mets will give him a shot and try to salvage Robles’ season. Why the hell not?

Justin Weiss is a staff editor at Elite Sports New York, where he covers the New York Islanders and Brooklyn Cyclones. In 2016, he received a Quill Award for Freelance Journalism. He has written for the Long Island Herald, FanSided and YardBarker.