The New York Mets have announced the promotions of Jared Young and Brandon Waddell from Triple-A Syracuse, a move that sees both players rejoin the team’s active roster. Young and Waddell previously played together with the Doosan Bears in the KBO last season and were already part of the 40-man roster.
In a corresponding roster adjustment, Génesis Cabrera and José Azocar have been designated for assignment. Young, who was signed by the Mets last offseason to provide depth, has been performing well in the minors. This season, he has played 22 games and boasts a solid batting slash line of .259/.371/.506, including five home runs and 12 walks. Over the last three seasons in Triple-A, he has accumulated 49 home runs playing for the Cardinals, Cubs, and now the Mets. Although he has primarily played left field at Syracuse, Young is considered a versatile infielder, having also played first, second, third base, and right field.
Waddell returns to the Mets after a brief prior stint this season, where he impressed by pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the Diamondbacks with four strikeouts. His arm depth comes at a crucial time for the Mets as they navigate their pitching needs.
On the other hand, Azocar’s time with the Mets was short-lived, spanning only 12 games. Despite his contributions, which included a .350 on-base percentage and a .278 batting average, he faced stiff competition in a crowded outfield. There is a possibility that Azocar may remain with the organization if he clears waivers and returns to Triple-A.
Cabrera also showed promise during his time with the Mets, achieving a 3.52 ERA and seven strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings. Should he clear waivers, he may continue his journey with the Syracuse team.
This series of moves reflects the Mets’ strategy to strengthen their roster while maintaining depth in key areas as the season progresses. The potential for Young and Waddell to make an impact, alongside the hope that Azocar and Cabrera could remain within the organization, highlights the ongoing restructuring and development efforts within the team’s pipeline. The organization continues to adapt and prepare for the challenges ahead.