The New York Mets are once again adding a fresh arm to their bullpen.
Ahead of their series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, the Mets announced that they're optioning right-hander reliever Jonathan Pintaro to Triple-A Syracuse and are recalling fellow righty reliever Daniel Duarte.
This latest bullpen switch comes less than 24 hours after Pintaro returned to the big leagues, tossing the final three innings of New York's 9-2 loss last night against the aforementioned Cardinals.
Pintaro has appeared in just three outings for the Mets this season, logging a 1.35 ERA with five strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched. He is now heading back to Triple-A as the Mets continue to reshuffle their bullpen.
As for Duarte, the righty inked a minor league deal with the Amazins' during the offseason. Durate has appeared in just one game for the Mets this season, which came against the Washington Nationals on May 19. Duarte tossed 2.1 scoreless innings against the Nationals that outing, scattering one hit with a strikeout.
In 18 appearances (six starts) at Syracuse this season, Duarte owns a 3.91 ERA with 19 punchouts, 14 walks, three saves and a 1.39 WHIP in 23 innings pitched.
The Mets are slated to play their series finale against St. Louis this afternoon, hoping to avoid getting swept after being outscored 16-2 in the first two games. New York also remains in the cellar in the National League East at 29-38 and is six games out of the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League.
