New York Mets right-hander Dedniel Nunez (forearm), who was one of the team's best relievers in 2024, was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. Nunez missed the entire second half of last year with a pronator strain in his right forearm, and as a result, he didn't make his Grapefruit League debut until mid-March as a precaution. The 28-year-old simply ran out of time to get the work in needed to be included on the Opening Day roster, but he'll be eligible to join the big-league bullpen on April 11. Nunez struck out 48 batters in 35 innings with a 2.31 ERA and nine holds in his major-league debut last year. If his forearm injury is truly behind him in 2025, Nunez will return to a high-leverage relief role at the back end of the Mets' bullpen and could be first in line for save chances if Edwin Diaz misses time with an injury.
Dedniel Nunez Faces Live Hitters, Still Has A Shot At Opening Day
New New York Mets relief pitcher Dedniel Nunez (forearm) faced live hitters in camp on Monday for the first time this spring. The 28-year-old missed most of the second half of last season with a strained right flexor tendon but had been superb before the injury. Combined with already having had Tommy John surgery in his career, the Mets are taking it slow with Nunez, but they still feel there's a chance he's ready for Opening Day. Last season, the righty posted a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and an elite 29.6 percent K-BB% in 35 innings of work. Fantasy managers in need of strikeouts and an ERA-lowering arm could give the Dominican some consideration when he's confirmed to be ready, but with Edwin Diaz locked in for now as the Mets' closer, there isn't much fantasy value here in most leagues.
Dedniel Nunez Not Expected To Pitch In Games "Anytime Soon"
New York Mets right-handed pitcher Dedniel Nunez (elbow) is not expected to pitch in spring training games "anytime soon." However, manager Carlos Mendoza noted that the team still believes Nunez could be ready in time for Opening Day. The 28-year-old dealt with a flexor strain during the second half of the 2024 campaign and is slowly working his way back to full strength. When healthy, Nunez should compete for a role in the bullpen. Last summer, Nunez made his MLB debut and held a solid 2.31 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP across 35 innings of work. He tallied an impressive 48 punchouts and generated an elite 39.0 percent chase rate. Nunez also generated a high 53.2 percent ground-ball rate. He tallied nine holds last season and could earn a high-leverage role when cleared for action.
New York Mets relief pitcher Dedniel Nunez (forearm) reportedly had a small army of coaches to come watch him throw this weekend. Nunez showed a ton of potential during the 2024 season, but sadly it was cut short due to injuries. He missed a majority of the second half of the season due to forearm tightness. The good news is that Nunez is fully healthy heading into spring training. The Mets plan to bring Nunez along slowly, so it's unclear if he'll be ready for Opening Day. When healthy, Nunez figures to be a significant part of the bullpen in New York. Last season, Nunez registered a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 48/8 K/BB ratio across 25 games. There won't be a ton of fantasy value for Nunez with Edwin Diaz being the primary closer. However, Nunez could be asked to do occasional closer duties and could be a potential fill-in if Diaz ever misses time.
New York Mets right-handed reliever Dedniel Nunez (forearm), who missed all of the second half in 2024 with a strained right flexor tendon, was hitting 96 mph during a team-supervised live batting practice session in the Dominican Republic this winter. According to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, the Mets consider Nunez a healthy player at the start of spring training this week. The 28-year-old reliever is still a bit of a health risk entering the 2025 campaign, but he looked pretty darn good for the Mets in his MLB debut last year with a 2.31 ERA (2.22 FIP), a 0.91 WHIP, his first career save, nine holds, 48 strikeouts and only eight walks in 35 relief innings in the first half. If he can stay healthy in 2025, Nunez figures to be in line to see plenty of high-leverage work in the late innings for New York as a top setup man for closer Edwin Diaz.
Dedniel Nunez Progressing Nicely, Could Pitch In Winter Ball
New York Mets relief pitcher Dedniel Nunez (forearm) is progressing well from a strained right flexor tendon after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection. Nunez was once at risk of needing surgery for his injury, but he's going to work out with the Tigres del Licey of the Dominican Winter League and could even make some appearances in that league if he continues to progress. It's really good news for the 28-year-old high-leverage arm after he missed the majority of the second half in 2024 due to the injury. If Nunez is able to avoid any setbacks once he begins ramping back up this offseason, he should be ready for spring training and the start of the 2025 campaign. When healthy, he was great out of New York's bullpen with a 2.31 ERA, 48 strikeouts and only eight walks in 35 innings pitched.
New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said that right-handed reliever Dedniel Nunez (forearm) is progressing well in his recovery from a right-forearm injury that caused him to miss most of the second half of the 2024 season. The Mets are hoping to get Nunez back on the mound in November, and if that goes well, he could have a very normal offseason. Before his injury, the 28-year-old was excellent in his first taste of the big leagues, going 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA (2.22 FIP), a 0.91 WHIP, his first career save, 48 strikeouts and only eight walks in 35 innings pitched in 25 appearances out of the Mets' bullpen. It's great news for the Mets' bullpen that he could be ready in time for the start of spring training in mid-February and for the start of the 2025 regular season.
The New York Mets placed right-handed reliever Dedniel Nunez (forearm) back on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 26) on Thursday with persistent forearm tightness. Nunez is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam as soon as Friday and will be eligible to come off the IL on Sept. 10. He initially landed on the IL with forearm tightness on July 26 and returned on Aug. 23. In the days since his return, Nunez hasn't been able to recover like he did earlier in the year and felt more discomfort anytime he tried to put spin on the ball while throwing before the game on Thursday. The Mets and Nunez are optimistic that he'll make a quick recovery. However, it's worrisome for a pitcher that has already had Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old has been a key member of New York's bullpen this year with a save, 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48 K's in his 35 relief innings.
New York Mets rookie right-hander Dedniel Nunez (forearm) started playing catch at 60 feet on Saturday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, and is no longer feeling soreness in his right forearm. Nunez had emerged as a key piece of the team's bullpen this year before suffering a right-pronator strain, posting a 2.43 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 33 1/3 innings in relief. The 28-year-old reliever landed on the 15-day injured list on July 26 but could return to the Mets' bullpen sooner than later now that he's resumed throwing without pain. However, it's unlikely that he'll come off the IL when he's eligible this Thursday. The Dominican hurler picked up the first save of his career earlier this year and has struck out 45 hitters and walked only eight in his first big-league season.
Dedniel Núñez
• RP
•
Mets
