An old friend will be returning to Citi Field tonight when the New York Mets begin a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves.
Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner will be making his return to New York this weekend after spending the previous six seasons as the Mets pitching coach. Hefner was one of many coaches the Mets opted to not retain this season and was perhaps the most stunning exit.
Hefner was known during his time with the Mets for developing low-leverage arms into reliable starters on New York's staff. But after last season's meltdown in the starting rotation, Hefner was not retained as the pitching coach and was replaced by Justin Willard.
Atlanta enters Friday with the best record in Major League Baseball and its pitching staff is also among baseball's best. As a result, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was asked whether he regretted his decision not to bring Hefner back during his regular homestand press conference.
"We're happy with our coaching staff right now. Hef's a really good person, good coach, and it doesn't surprise me he's having success," Stearns said.
Despite entering this season without Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, Atlanta enters Friday with the best ERA in the National League at 3.20. Strider has also since returned after suffering an oblique strain during spring training, while Schwellenabch remains on the injured list after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow.
While the Mets pitching staff has been snakebitten by injuries, Willard has been able to hold down the fort this season, with the Mets posting the fourth-best ERA in the NL at 3.88.
New York will now get its first look at the Braves in 2026, with the aforementioned Strider on the mound for Atlanta and Nolan McLean taking the ball for the Mets.
