The Mets announced Friday that they’ve placed right-hander Chris Bassitt on the injured list and selected the contract of righty R.J. Alvarez from Triple-A Syracuse. No designation was given for Bassitt’s injury, suggesting that he was placed on the Covid-related injured list. The Mets also announced that pitcher Locke St. John cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Syracuse. He’d been designated for assignment earlier this week.
Acquired in an offseason trade that sent minor league righties JT Ginn and Adam Oller to the A’s, Bassitt has been a stabilizing presence in the Mets’ rotation amid several injuries. The steady right-hander has tossed 89 2/3 frames of 4.01 ERA ball over the life of 15 starts, though a pair of recent drubbings in San Diego and San Francisco (combined 15 earned runs in 7 2/3 innings) have skewed that number and masked how strong he’s been in his other 13 appearances.
That Bassitt has been placed on the Covid-related list doesn’t necessarily mean he’s tested positive. Players can also be placed on that list if they report symptoms or are deemed close contacts of someone who has tested positive. If Bassitt did test positive for Covid-19, the league’s health-and-safety protocols stipulate a 10-day absence or a pair of negative PCR tests and approval from a panel of three medical experts (team doctor, league-appointed doctor, MLBPA-appointed doctor).
Alvarez’s selection to the big league roster could bring about his first MLB appearance since way back in 2015. The righty pitched 28 innings from 2014-15 between the Padres and A’s and has been grinding through the Triple-A ranks since that time. Since his last MLB showing, he’s pitched in the minors for the A’s, Cubs, Rangers, Marlins, Brewers and now the Mets — for whom he logged a 2.49 ERA in 25 1/3 frames in Syracuse. Walks have been an issue for Alvarez this season, but he has a solid overall track record in parts of seven Triple-A campaigns.
ALVAREZ IS BACK!
He pulled his back when he turned around quickly after feeling the Braves breathing down his neck. All kidding aside, it’s a testament to the Mets’ talent that they’re still winning with the majority of the rotation being injured. I know the Astros just pummeled them, but outside of that, Mets are beating everyone.
Covid IL haha
Like the saying goes, you never have enough pitching.
Rotation is now Carrasco, Walker, Peterson and Trevor Williams…maybe Scherzer returns this week.
I feel a trade with the Reds and/or the Orioles coming. I feel it’s going to cost Mauricio or Vientos to the Reds and Davis/Smith to O’s.
Davis/Smith to Os is probably a no go? In exchange for pitching the Mets need now, the O’s would want pitching prospect(s) they will need in “the show” in 24/25/26.
Can’t expect much at all for Davis and Smith return value. Team absolutely bungled trading high on these players.
Davis and Smith don’t make sense for any other team for the same reason they don’t make sense for the Mets. In fact, few teams could make better use of the two as PHs off the bench. I’m not gonna cry over the reliever they could have gotten for them if they’d given up on them earlier. It is what it is and they could still provide value, but as bench pieces, maaaaybe DH.
They’re not giving up any prospects for a rotation piece. Scherzer is back on Tuesday and Bassitt should be back in 10 days at the latest. Plus deGrom will should have his first rehab start on Sunday.
@Chris G. Yes. Agreed. Hope they all heal and stay healed. The Braves are coming!
I wil say, it’s not unthinkable that Scherzer and deGrom get hurt again. I actually do think the Mets aquire a rotation piece. This is their year. Cohen can taste it.
So you would trade a top prospect to cover a rotation for a week or two? Scherzer is back this week, bassit isn’t injured and degrom starts rehab assignment this week. The Mets need to worry about a couple of high leverage arms in the bullpen.
Braves no Acuna and Albies. Phillies no Harper and Segura. No one is snakebit. These things happen to nearly every team
U going to compare u rotación with a dh guy u need son
Braves no Soroka, Albies, Jansen, Matek, Pina, and Rosario….and Acuna for 7 weeks.
And Jackson
Everyone gets hurt. It blows. That’s how the cookie crumbles.