The New York Mets have sent pitcher Neraldo Catalina to the Tampa Bay Rays as the player to be named later in the Wilmer Font trade.
The New York Mets originally signed Neraldo Catalina, 18, last July out of the Dominican Republic. However, Catalina is now heading to the Rays as compensation for Wilmer Font per Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports.
At 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, the right-hander has intriguing size. Possessing a 95 MPH fastball and a strong slider, this is a prospect worth taking a flier on for the Rays. Catalina has yet to make his professional debut, so he is obviously at least a few years away from making an impact in St. Petersburg.
Since being acquired, Font has appeared in just one game for the Mets. Making a spot start on May 8 against the San Diego Padres, Font pitched four innings of two-run baseball. Although the Mets would go on to lose the game, Font gave them a chance to steal the victory.
In 11 appearances this season, Font has an ERA of 5.50. While he did struggle with Tampa Bay earlier this season, the 28-year-old is a hard-thrower and is posting a career-high strikeout rate in 2019.
Font is out of minor league options, so the Mets will likely keep him on the roster for the remainder of the season. If the club wishes to send him down, he will have to clear waivers first.
He is scheduled to start on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals. Patrick Corbin will take the hill for the Nats. The lefty hurler will bring a 3.20 ERA into Wednesday’s tilt.
