NEW YORK — Before landing on the injured list, New York Mets reliever Dedniel Núñez emerged as one of the team’s favorite options out of the bullpen.
Ahead of the Mets’ series finale against the Marlins on Sunday, manager Carlos Mendoza announced that the team is one step away from rejoining the team. Núñez is expected to go on a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Syracuse.
The Syracuse Mets will host the Durham Bulls on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 6:35 p.m. at NBT Bank Stadium. Tickets start at $21.
“He’ll throw an inning there,” Mendoza said. “One inning, 15-20 pitches.”
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Núñez was placed on the injured list with a right pronator strain on July 26. In 24 games before the injury, the 28-year-old right-hander has a 2.43 ERA (nine earned runs in 33 1/3 innings) and 45 strikeouts. His 34.9 strikeout percentage is tied for fifth in the NL among relievers (minimum 30 innings pitched).
Though he couldn’t be there to help his teammates during this recent stretch in which the Mets inserted themselves into a playoff race, he’s maintained a “positive” attitude.
“I can’t say there’s been anything difficult,” Núñez said about his recovery. “Life is about processes and being able to learn from all the situations that arise. I just have to learn from the experiences that we have.”
Núñez signed as an international prospect with the Mets at 20 years old, ancient for a ballplayer by Dominican standards. He joined the Mets’ minor league system in 2017, where he threw 268 innings (110 games, 30 starts) and posted a 4.37 ERA in six-plus seasons. (He missed the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.)
He credits his newfound confidence to preparation, which he began in the winter at home in Puerto Plata. There, he worked on a throwing program, including finessing his slider, which has 5.5 inches of vertical movement more than league average, the top 5% of the league this season, according to Statcast.
Manny Gómez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.
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