The New York Mets are heading into a pivotal part of their season as they get ready for a crucial series against the Philadelphia Phillies. After missing the chance to sweep the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, they now trail the Phillies by seven games and will look to close that gap in hopes of claiming the NL East crown with the regular season nearing its end.
The bullpen has been a lingering concern, and the Mets’ success may hinge on how well they handle innings and protect late-game leads down the stretch. On Monday, the team announced another roster move, this time affecting their relief staff directly.
Mets Make Roster Move After Reed Garrett News
Before their series against the Phillies, the Mets placed right-hander Reed Garrett on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation, retroactive to August 23.
Garrett has been a key bullpen arm this year, logging 54 appearances with a 3.61 ERA and 62 strikeouts over 61.2 innings, but his recent struggles—eight runs allowed in his last 4.2 innings—sparked concern. A timetable for his return hasn’t been announced.
To fill his spot, the Mets recalled left-hander José Castillo from Triple-A Syracuse. Castillo, acquired from the Diamondbacks in May for cash considerations, has pitched well in limited action, posting a 2.19 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 12.1 innings across 14 appearances.
His ability to handle left-handed hitters could be especially useful against Philadelphia’s lefty-heavy lineup. Though he’s bounced between Syracuse and the majors this season, Castillo is expected to play a bigger role with Garrett out and Frankie Montas recently moved to the 60-day IL.
Mets’ Playoff Picture with 32 Games Remaining
With just 32 games remaining, the Mets are still firmly in the National League Wild Card hunt. Garrett’s injury removes a key bullpen arm they’ve depended on, leaving concerns about late-inning stability. While Castillo’s return gives them another left-handed option, the rest of the staff now faces added pressure to step up.
The Mets have almost no room for mistakes down the stretch, and beating the Phillies would be another important step toward locking up a playoff berth. New York will look for its 70th victory of the season when it hosts Philadelphia at Citi Field on Monday.
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