The New York Mets added to their pitching depth with the acquisition of Wilmer Font from the Tampa Bay Rays.
The New York Mets have had issues with their pitching depth this season, which have been exacerbated by the injury to Steven Matz, and a hamstring issue picked up by Jason Vargas. The team has already been rotating depth pieces in the bullpen, and now could be forced to insert Seth Lugo into the rotation.
In an effort to get ahead of their depth issues, the team made a minor transaction on Monday, acquiring pitcher Wilmer Font from the Tampa Bay Rays for either a player to be named later or cash. The team announced the move on their Twitter.
We’ve acquired RHP Wilmer Font from Tampa Bay in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Yoenis Céspedes has been moved to the 60-Day IL to make room on the 40-man roster. Font will join the team tomorrow when a corresponding move will be made. #Mets pic.twitter.com/4XyFZtTz5d
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 6, 2019
Font, 28, has a 5.79 ERA this year and a 6.51 ERA across his Major League career. He has appeared in 37 career games with five starts, though he has started 105 out of 203 games in the minors. His 4.24 strikeouts per walk in Triple-A stand out, but he has failed to translate that success to the majors.
He figures to slot into the back of the bullpen with the possibility of making a spot start if needed. He likely won’t be called upon in many big situations, but he does give the team another arm on the back end.
He can’t be sent to the minors without going through waivers, so the team is taking a risk that he can find himself with the big club. The right-hander will be added to the 25-man roster when he joins the club in San Diego.
Yoenis Cespedes was moved to the 60-day IL to create a 40-man roster spot for Font, which is a move that was bound to happen at some point. Cespedes is not expected back until the All-Star break at the earliest, and some in the organization don’t expect him back at all this season.
The Mets are taking a flier on Font and hoping he can give them a few quality outings until their pitching staff is back to full health.
