ROBERT RETURNS
Gsellman activated from injured list as Mets hope he can fortify their bullpen
Robert Gsellman last pitched in a majorleague game on Aug. 11, 2019. It was a forgettable appearance (two earned runs allowed over 0.1 innings) that he would like to replace with a dominant outing. Almost one year removed from that disappointing performance, Gsellman finally gets the chance to join his teammates in the bullpen and wait patiently for his 2020 debut.
The right-handed reliever was reinstated from the injured list ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Marlins at Citi Field. With his right triceps tightness completely behind him, Gsellman hopes he can help strengthen the Mets relief corps, which entered Friday with the fifthworst ERA
(5.33) in the National
League and seventh-worst overall.
“Man, I was nervous when I woke up this morning,” Gsellman said. “It’s almost been a year since I last played. The nerves are definitely there, my heart’s racing, but I’m definitely excited to get back out there and show what I can do.”
Gsellman had built up his pitch count while he was sidelined to start the season and believes he should be able to go multiple innings if the Mets need that this weekend. The 27-year-old figures to be a middle-relief option for his rookie skipper.
“Whenever we get a chance to get him in there, it’ll be great,” manager Luis Rojas said. “He can have some competition, face another uni.”
Gsellman had a 4.66 ERA, 1.366 WHIP and 60/23 K/BB ratio in 63.2 innings last year. The former starter — who posted a 2.42 ERA across 44.2 innings in his 2016 rookie season — has put together underwhelming performances in his three seasons since.
His 2019 season ended early when he flagged discomfort in the same area — which turned out to be a partial tear of his right lat muscle — as this year’s right triceps tightness. Though he was sidelined since the last week of summer camp in July, Gsellman indicated the injury is no longer an issue for him.
“I was just feeling some arm troubles right when I got to camp,” he said. “It was nothing major. Just wanted to make sure I was fully healthy and I’m back to normal now.”
Gsellman will join a Mets bullpen that entered the season with breakout potential, but the relief unit has largely struggled to start the season.
Edwin Diaz has a 4.15 ERA over five games and 4.1 innings with one save and one blown save. Seth Lugo uncharacteristically gave up a home run to Christian Vazquez that eventually allowed the Red Sox to complete a come-frombehind win on July 29, but he returned to his usual dominant form in the two outings since. Dellin Betances has struggled to lift his fastball velocity above 93.4 mph in his five relief appearances for the Mets this season. Jeurys Familia, though, has shown promise with a 3.18 ERA across six outings.
“Hopefully now we start turning things around,” Gsellman said.
REINFORCEMENTS
Jeff McNeil (low grade right intercostal strain) and Amed Rosario (left quad tightness) both returned to the Mets lineup Friday against the Marlins. The infielders had been sidelined since Monday, with McNeil missing three games and Rosario missing two.
ROSTER MOVES
Left-handed reliever Daniel Zamora was optioned to the team’s alternate training site in Brooklyn to make room for Gsellman on the active roster. Infielder Luis Carpio was also added to the team’s 60-man player pool and outfielder Ryan Cordell cleared waivers and was outrighted to Brooklyn.