Right-hander Tommy Hunter has officially announced his retirement from professional baseball. Hunter calls it a career after 16 seasons in the major leagues, with stops playing for the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Guardians, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets. He spent the final three seasons of his career with the Mets after debuting all the way back in 2008 in Texas. The 37-year-old was released by the Mets in June of 2023 after allowing 20 runs (18 earned) with five walks and 20 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. During his long MLB career, Hunter pitched to a 4.07 ERA (4.32 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, 22 saves, 208 walks and 639 strikeouts in 508 appearances (76 starts) and 917 1/3 innings pitched.
New York Mets relief pitcher Tommy Hunter has been designated for assignment on Saturday. The writing was on the wall with this one as Hunter owned an ugly 6.85 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 20:5 K/BB ratio over 23 2/3 innings (14 appearances) on the year. The Mets made a flurry of other moves on Saturday to try and shore up their bullpen. Zack Muckenhirn was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse while relievers John Curtiss and Josh Walker were both recalled.
New York Mets relief pitcher Tommy Hunter has been activated from the 15-day injury list after dealing with back spasms that have bugged the right-hander throughout his career. The veteran was roughed up in two appearances to begin the 2023 season but also tossed a 2.42 ERA across 22 1/3 innings spanning 18 appearances with the Mets last season. After beginning his career as a starter, Hunter has found a place as a rock-solid reliever as he owns a career 3.25 ERA and 5.5 BB% out of the bullpen. The Mets lost closer Edwin Diaz for much, if not all of the 2023 season before it even began as Hunter slides into a Mets bullpen that is led by the likes of Adam Ottavino and David Robertson early in the season.
New York Mets relief pitcher Tommy Hunter (back) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. The right-hander is dealing with back spasms, so it's uncertain how long he's going to be sidelined because of this injury. Hunter struggled during his first two outings of the season, allowing five runs in four innings of work. In a corresponding move, the Mets have recalled right-hander Denyi Reyes from Triple-A. The 26-year-old has a 2.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 3/1 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings with the Mets last season. He's expected to serve as a middle reliever until Hunter is ready to return.
The New York Mets re-signed right-handed relievers Tommy Hunter and Sean Reid-Foley to minor-league deals on Tuesday. Both pitchers have been with the team the last two seasons, but they both missed significant time due to injuries. Hunter, 36, threw only 22 1/3 innings in 2022, but he had a solid 2.42 ERA (4.28 FIP), a 1.21 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in 18 relief appearances. Reid-Foley, 27, allowed six earned runs on seven hits while walking seven and striking out eight in just 10 relief innings for the Mets last season. In five big-league seasons, he has a 4.66 ERA (4.93 FIP), a 1.56 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 102 1/3 innings pitched. Hunter and Reid-Foley will give the Mets relief depth yet again in 2023.
Tommy Hunter Unlikely To Return To Close Regular Season
New York Mets right-hander Tommy Hunter (back) is eligible to return from the injured list on the final day of the regular season, but it's unlikely the Mets would activate him for a single game. Instead, he'll receive regular treatment on his back and stay in shape in case the Mets want him for their playoff roster. Hunter pitched in a simulated game before the team's Oct. 1 game against the Atlanta Braves, throwing one inning against members of the team's taxi squad. The 36-year-old hasn't pitched in the big leagues since Sept. 14, but he was effective during the regular season in just 22 1/3 innings pitched, posting a 2.42 ERA (4.28 FIP), a 1.21 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in his 18 relief appearances.
New York Mets reliever Tommy Hunter (back) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with lower back tightness. The veteran reliever has been solid in a limited role for the Mets this year, putting together a 2.51 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 16:2 K/BB ratio over 14 1/3 innings (11 appearances) of relief. David Peterson was called up in a corresponding move.
The New York Mets are calling up veteran relief pitcher Tommy Hunter from the minors on Thursday, according to a source. Hunter, who was signed to a minor league deal in April, had 14 strikeouts and only one walk in 13 2/3 innings at Triple-A Syracuse. He was also sporting a 2.08 ERA in his last five appearances, but he posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.24 WHIP overall in eight relief outings. The 35-year-old right-hander pitched eight innings for the Mets last year, but he'll give them veteran bullpen depth, having thrown 871 1/3 innings in the big leagues over 14 seasons with seven different teams.
The New York Mets have signed right-handed pitcher Tommy Hunter to a minor league deal. According to Ken Rosenthal, Hunter will report to Port St. Lucie at some point this week with the goal for him to be ready for the majors by June. Those with a strong memory may recall that the Mets previously signed Hunter to a minors deal prior to the 2021 season. He pitched eight innings for the team before a back injury ended his season. The 35-year-old has had quite a tour of the majors since first debuting with the Baltimore Orioles in 2008. The Mets became his seventh MLB club last year.
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired relief pitcher Tommy Hunter and catcher Matt Dyer from the New York Mets on Friday in exchange for veteran left-hander Rich Hill. Hunter, currently on the 60-day injured list with a back injury that has sidelined him since late May, was merely involved in the trade to balance out some money. Dyer was in Single-A in the Mets organization after being drafted in the fourth round last year. The 35-year-old Hunter is unlikely to pitch again this season after throwing just eight innings before his injury in New York. Dyer was not among New York's top-30 prospects before the trade. The 23-year-old is very strong defensively but hasn't developed much with the bat. He was hitting .194/.329/.452 in 36 games for Single-A St. Lucie, but he did have seven home runs, 20 RBI and six stolen bases.
