New York Mets News

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Clay Holmes • SP • Mets

Clay Holmes Throwing Live Bullpen on Friday

New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) is throwing a live bullpen session at Citi Field on Friday, according to Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News. It is the first time that Holmes is facing hitters since fracturing his right fibula in the middle of May. He still has a ways to go before rejoining New York's starting rotation in the second half of the season, but he could start a minor-league rehab assignment shortly after next week's All-Star break. The 33-year-old veteran could be a popular trade target for contending teams if they like the direction that Holmes is heading health-wise later this month. In his first nine starts of the 2026 season in his second year in Queens, he has gone 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA (3.23 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks in 52 2/3 innings pitched. Holmes' underlying metrics predict plenty of regression in the second half, though, and many fantasy managers gave up on him after his serious leg injury. The converted reliever is now only rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues.

14 hours ago

A.J. Ewing • CF • Mets

A.J. Ewing Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target with Five-Category Upside

Since making his MLB debut on May 12, New York Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing is hitting .277/.356/.446 with seven home runs, 24 RBI, 26 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. The 21-year-old has gotten off to a red-hot start in July, hitting .290/.313/.613 with three home runs across 33 plate appearances so far this month. Ewing's 25.2% strikeout rate is slightly elevated, but his 10.5% walk rate has kept his on-base percentage high and allows his speed to play up. Ewing has also established himself as the everyday center fielder in New York and has moved into the leadoff spot in the Mets lineup in each of the team's last four games. In any league where he's not already rostered, Ewing profiles as a must-add outfielder with five-category upside for fantasy managers.

16 hours ago

Carson Benge • RF • Mets

Carson Benge Becoming a Must-Add Off the Waiver Wire?

New York Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge is quietly having a strong first year in the big leagues for the last-place Mets. In Thursday's 7-3 win over the visiting Kansas City Royals in Queens, Benge went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, a stolen base, a walk, and two runs scored to boost his season line to .269/.332/.412 in his first 91 big-league contests. He's added a .744 OPS, 11 home runs, 37 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 52 runs scored across 374 plate appearances in an everyday role. The 23-year-old former 19th overall pick in 2024 out of Oklahoma State University has exactly two hits in each of his last four games and has gone 28-for-87 (.322) with four home runs, three doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his last 21 games, dating back to June 17. Benge is clearly finding his stride and has proven to be a high-floor fantasy outfielder who can contribute across all categories. It's kind of a shock that he's only rostered in exactly half of Yahoo leagues. He has been one of the few bright spots in a lost season in Queens in 2026.

19 hours ago

Nolan McLean • SP • Mets

Does Nolan McLean Still Carry League-Winning Upside?

Across 101 1/3 innings (18 starts) in 2026, New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean has recorded a 6-5 record with a 3.73 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 118 strikeouts. It's been a rollercoaster ride of a season so far for McLean, who pitched to a 2.55 ERA through the end of April but then struggled to a 6.10 ERA in May. The 24-year-old has been prone to blow-up outings this year, as he's allowed six earned runs or more on three separate occasions. Still, McLean pitched well in June (2.79 ERA), and his underlying numbers still hint at ace upside. McLean is averaging 96.3 miles per hour on his fastball and owns a stellar 19.2% K-BB rate. Fantasy managers may want to explore buying low on McLean ahead of the All-Star break due to his second-half breakout potential.

Yesterday

Devin Williams • RP • Mets

Is It Time to Buy Low on Devin Williams?

New York Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams has picked up 13 saves in his 33 games this season, but he has allowed three runs on six hits in his last two outings and was charged with his second blown save of the year on Monday. His opportunities have been limited due to his team's overall struggles, and his 4.85 ERA and 1.65 WHIP are definitely not what fantasy managers were hoping for when they drafted him as a top closer. He does have 43 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings, so the potential is still there, but irregular work and limited opportunity have held him back. If the Mets' new youth-infused lineup can help jumpstart their team in the second half, Williams has an elite ceiling. He's worth checking in on as a buy-low candidate since his manager could be frustrated with the Mets' disappointing season so far.

Yesterday

Dan Hammer • RP • Mets

Mets Promoting Dan Hammer, Worth a Speculative Add?

New York Mets relief pitcher Dan Hammer will be called up to add another right-handed option to the bullpen on Thursday. The 28-year-old has spent time in the Orioles and Rays systems over the last eight years, reaching Triple-A for the first time in his career this season with the Mets. Hammer has reached 98 mph during his time with Triple-A Syracuse and posted a 1.77 ERA over 17 appearances after posting a 2.77 ERA in 10 games in Double-A. Hammer's velocity and solid recent results give him intriguing upside if you're in a deep league that rewards relief pitching. The Mets' bullpen has struggled this year, and Devin Williams and Tobias Myers were each charged with a blown save already this week, in games the team eventually won. Hammer will likely slot in as a middle relief or setup role to begin his MLB career, but if he continues to be so effective could work his way into more high-leverage spots.

Yesterday

Freddy Peralta • SP • Mets

Freddy Peralta a Buy-Low Arm Before the Break?

New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta has not made life easy on fantasy managers, but the buy-low window is at least worth checking before the All-Star break. The 30-year-old is 5-7 with a 4.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts through 100 innings, which is a long way from the SP2 value managers thought they were getting. His latest outing against Atlanta was not a clean win either, though six strikeouts and only one earned run over 4 2/3 innings were a step in the right direction. There is still enough here to avoid panic-selling. Peralta's 4.29 FIP and .301 xwOBA are better than the surface damage, so this is more hold-and-shop than cut bait. Since he was still rostered in 93% of Yahoo leagues in RotoBaller's latest Cut List, Peralta is a cautious buy-low target only if the other manager is fed up.

2 days ago

Marcus Semien • 2B • Mets

Marcus Semien Unlikely to Return in July

The New York Mets haven't issued a timeline on second baseman Marcus Semien (hip), but a return this month "might be difficult," according to Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Semien is on the 10-day injured list with a left-hip flexor strain that has bothered him for much of the 2026 season, but he's optimistic about returning to the lineup and to form in the second half. Before going on the IL in late June, Semien admitted he had intermittent tightness in his hip since at least early May. By late June, "it got to the point where sprinting 100 percent was not possible." The 35-year-old veteran thinks the injury could be related to the broken foot he suffered in 2025 in his last year with the Texas Rangers. It could explain why he has hit just .214 with a .271 on-base percentage and .341 slugging percentage in his first year with New York -- all career worsts. Additionally, he's graded out as below average at the keystone. Semien could bounce back with better health in the second half, but it's clear he's beyond his prime, and he's rostered in just 36% of Yahoo leagues now that he's rehabbing another injury.

2 days ago

Sean Manaea • RP • Mets

Sean Manaea a Deep-League Streamer Following Return to Starting Role

New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea opened the 2026 season in a bulk relief role, but he was moved back into the team's rotation in mid-June. Manaea was bludgeoned for six earned runs across five innings in his most recent outing by the Atlanta Braves. However, the 34-year-old has pitched reasonably well as a starter before that appearance, recording a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts across 20 innings (four starts). At this point in his career, Manaea's upside for fantasy managers is limited, and he should be avoided in difficult matchups. Still, the veteran is just two seasons removed from his highly productive 2024 campaign, when he recorded a 3.47 ERA with 12 wins across 32 starts. In deeper league formats, fantasy managers can target Manaea as a matchup-based streamer.

3 days ago

Francisco Alvarez • C • Mets

Francisco Alvarez Emerging as a High-Upside Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez got off to a slow start to the 2026 season, hitting .241 with four home runs across his first 128 plate appearances before suffering a knee injury in early May. However, since returning from the injury in mid-June, the 24-year-old has started to turn things around. Across 216 plate appearances for the season overall, Alvarez is hitting .251/.313/.426 with nine home runs, 20 RBI, and 19 runs scored. His underlying contact metrics also indicate significant power upside, as he's logged a 16.2% barrel rate. Health has been an issue for Alvarez throughout his career, so there's always a chance he could suffer another injury. Still, he profiles as a worthy power target for fantasy managers on the waiver wire as long as he's active.

3 days ago

Jorge Polanco • 1B • Mets

Mets Reinstate Jorge Polanco From the 60-Day Injured List

The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they reinstated infielder Jorge Polanco (Achilles, ankle, wrist) from the 60-day injured list and optioned infielder Ronny Mauricio to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Polanco's first year in Queens hasn't gone well, as he's been sidelined for almost three months with multiple injuries. The 33-year-old Dominican switch-hitter will definitely give the Mets some more thump at the plate, and he'll likely be eased in as the team's designated hitter. Before going on the IL, Polanco went just 10-for-56 (.179) with a homer, two RBI, three runs scored, five walks, and 11 strikeouts in 14 games played for the Mets. While Polanco certainly isn't going to save the Mets from what has turned into a lost season, he can provide fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues with some power if he can stay healthy the rest of the way. Polanco hit 33 homers in 2021 and reached 26 long balls in 138 games with the Seattle Mariners in 2025. He's currently rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues and has eligibility at second and third base.

3 days ago

Luis Robert Jr. • CF • Mets

Luis Robert Jr. a Top Power-Speed Stash?

New York Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (back) had his rehab assignment shifted to Double-A Binghamton on July 7, giving fantasy managers a clearer sign of progress after more than two months away. Robert opened the assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on June 30 and went 1-for-10 with one walk and two strikeouts over three games. Before the lumbar spine disc herniation, he hit .224 with two homers, eight RBI, 10 runs, two steals, and a .656 OPS in 24 games for the Mets. Nobody should be adding him because of the 2026 line, and the Mets' outfield does not guarantee full-time at-bats when he returns. The stash appeal is the old power-speed ceiling: 104 homers and 104 steals across 601 career games, including a 38-homer season in 2023 and 33 steals in 2025. RotoBaller has Robert at 41% rostered and as a 15-team league add for Week 15. That makes him an IL-slot/deeper-league stash, not a must-add outfielder.

3 days ago

Ryan Clifford • 1B • Mets

Ryan Clifford Needs to Show More Before Entering High-End Stash Territory

New York Mets first base/outfield prospect Ryan Clifford has shown power numbers at Triple-A Syracuse but has not yet proven to be a consistent bat at the Triple-A level. He has 14 homers and 41 RBI but is hitting just .193 with a .660 OPS. He has added seven steals, showing he can run a little bit, but his OPS is the lowest of his career in the minors, which is a cause for concern. Clifford is the No. 2 prospect in the Mets system so the hype is there and the left handed hitter has shown the ability to play first base and outfield. Before getting a shot in New York at the big-league level, he will likely need to show more consistent hitting at Triple-A. But the bottom line is the Mets have a hole at first base and could look to Clifford to fill that hole in what is becoming a bit of a lost season. So Clifford is worth a look in mixed leagues but is not someone to rush to the waiver wire to add just yet.

3 days ago

Clay Holmes • SP • Mets

Clay Holmes Could Start a Rehab Assignment Later This Month

New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) could start a minor-league rehab assignment in the second half of this month, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. Holmes is making progress behind the scenes after fracturing his fibula on May 15 when he was hit by a 111 mph comebacker. The 33-year-old former ninth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 was 4-4 at the time of his injury with a career-best 2.39 ERA (3.22 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks in 52 2/3 innings across his nine starts. Barring a setback once he starts his rehab assignment, Holmes could be ready to return to the big leagues in early August, and he could be a popular trade candidate with the deadline approaching in early August, with a $12 million player option for 2027. Holmes is rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues while his leg heals. Fantasy managers holding him would be wise not to expect some regression in the second half of 2026.

4 days ago

Christian Scott • SP • Mets

Christian Scott a Top Pitching Target Despite Homer Allowance

New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott has looked good for the most part in 11 starts (49 innings) for the Mets this year in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old has gone 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA (4.35 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 60 strikeouts and 25 walks in just his second season in the majors. Scott has only allowed more than three earned runs in one of his 11 starts so far this year and has a nice 28% strikeout rate. The problems have been with his control (11.7% walk rate) and his inability to keep the ball in the yard so far (seven homers allowed). In his most recent start against the division-rival Atlanta Braves on Friday, the former fifth-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Florida gave up three earned runs on two home runs while walking four and striking out seven in four innings for his first loss of the season. Scott is still working his way into form after missing the entire 2025 season, so fantasy managers must be patient. But so far, Scott has shown more positive than negative and is worth a look on the waiver wire in deeper leagues for pitching depth. He's currently rostered in just 14% of Yahoo leagues, and he's lined up for a plus matchup this week versus the Kansas City Royals.

4 days ago

Jack Wenninger • SP • Mets

Jack Wenninger Worth a Stash Following Season-Best Effort?

New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jack Wenninger is coming off the best outing of the season and is putting himself back on the stash radar for those in deeper leagues. On July 4, the right-hander tossed seven one-hit innings against Triple-A Worcester while allowing no runs and three walks. He struck out five hitters. Prior to this dominant effort, Wenninger endured a rough stretch at Syracuse, posting a 6.49 ERA with a 1.73 WHIP over his last 34 2/3 innings. However, before this skid, Wenninger looked just as comfortable as he did at the start of July, logging 33 1/3 innings to the tune of a 1.08 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. With the Mets falling out of the postseason race and trending towards selling at the deadline, their No. 4-ranked prospect should earn an extended look at the majors. Those in deeper 15-team leagues should consider monitoring Wenninger to see if he can maintain this recent production.

4 days ago

A.J. Ewing • CF • Mets

A.J. Ewing Deserves a Look While Swinging Hot Bat

New York Mets infielder/outfielder A.J. Ewing has been nearly impossible to keep off the basepaths recently. Over the last two weeks, Ewing has been slashing .317/.404/.512 with two home runs and eight RBI. So far this season, Ewing has a .352 OBP with four long balls, 19 RBI, and eight steals. He's capable of doing just about everything on the field, which makes him a favorable option for category leagues. He probably hasn't wandered into must-have territory yet, but is someone worth at least looking at in deep leagues.

7 days ago

Carson Benge • RF • Mets

Does Carson Benge Have Five-Category Upside Moving Forward?

New York Mets former 2024 first-round pick Carson Benge is putting together an excellent rookie campaign for the Mets, slashing .259/.318/.402 with 10 home runs, 34 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases through 343 plate appearances. On Wednesday against the Blue Jays, he launched his 10th home run of the season and is showcasing excellent power after hitting 15 home runs in the Minors in 2025 (519 plate appearances). His underlying data support his surface-level breakouts and suggest a potential positive regression, as evidenced by his .286 xBA, .346 xwOBA, and .451 xSLG. All of his surface stats are showing worse than that, which should only bode well for Benge in the second half. Fantasy managers should view Benge as a must-start player in five outfielder leagues, as he has been a solid contributor to stolen bases, power, run production, and batting average.

7 days ago

Francisco Alvarez • C • Mets

Francisco Alvarez Becoming a Must-Add in Two-Catcher Leagues?

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is finally starting to heat up. He has gone deep four times over his last 15 games while batting .278 with seven RBI and six runs. That stretch includes a 415-foot blast against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, giving him nine homers across 180 at-bats this season. Alvarez also posted an .821 OPS in June after returning from right meniscus surgery earlier in the month. The strikeouts are still part of the package, but few widely available catchers can match his power. Alvarez owns a 17.8% barrel rate and has even received time at designated hitter as the Mets look for ways to keep his bat in the lineup. He is rostered in just 20% of Yahoo leagues and should be picked up in two-catcher formats. Managers in deeper one-catcher leagues should also give him a look while the power is rolling.

Jul 1

A.J. Ewing • CF • Mets

A.J. Ewing Breaking Out as Dynamic Waiver-Wire Pickup

Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing has caught fire in his rookie campaign, hitting .409 with a .727 slugging percentage over his last seven games. The Mets No. 1 prospect has flashed multiple tools early, pairing strong offensive production with 98th percentile sprint speed that immediately changes games on the bases. He is slashing .275/.360/.412 with a .772 OPS while adding 8 stolen bases across 46 games this season. Ewing's speed and improving contact profile have helped him carve out a consistent role as he continues to adjust to major league pitching. Fantasy managers should view him as an elite dynasty pickup and a waiver wire option in all formats.

Jul 1

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