The Mets’ already thin relief corps is now even thinner with right-hander Jorge Lopez out of the bullpen after being designated for release, Edwin Diaz on the disabled list with right shoulder impingement, and Brooks Raley out for the season after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery in his elbow.
But Adrian Houser, Danny Young and Reid Garrett all dished out big assists in Thursday’s 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks.
The two pitched a combined four scoreless, hitless innings.
Garrett, who had struggled in his previous three starts, earned the save in the ninth inning.
“This is a testament to who we are,” Garrett said. “Losing is [Diaz] “It’s a tough situation. He’s one of the best players in the game, but it’s an opportunity for everyone else.”
This includes Hauser, who once again pitched well as a relief pitcher.
Hauser pitched two scoreless innings Thursday and has allowed just one run in six innings in his previous two starts, both as a relief pitcher.
The right-hander was coming off another awful start.
“He’s a pro,” Mendoza said. “Right now he’s a relief pitcher and he’s getting a lot of outs.”
Young, a left-hander, was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Lopez and struck out two in one inning of work.
Francisco Alvarez began a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Thursday after undergoing surgery in April to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, and almost immediately hit a home run the other way.
This home run was hit in his second at-bat in his first game back.
The catcher’s development has been faster than expected so far.
He also walked and played five innings as catcher.
Alvarez said he plans to put a splint on his left hand to see how he responds.
Tomas Nido and Omar Narvaez will fill in at catcher in Alvarez’s absence.
The day after the Mets held a players-only meeting, all four of their infielders were in for an early workout before the game.
Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Mark Vientos and Brett Batty, along with infield coach Mike Cerbo and bench coach John Gibbons, were on the field before the game practicing double plays.
Lindor said the decision to move infield work early was made by Cerbo but he was happy it happened.
“We didn’t have a team meeting. [Wednesday] At night, he said [Thursday]”We’re going to add an extra infield,” Lindor said. “But we’re going to add an extra infield.” [Sarbaugh] We wanted to do it and it was good to go out and put in the work.”
As for the players-only meeting, Mendoza said he wasn’t aware of it before it took place but is glad the team called for it.
“I’m glad they’re together,” Mendoza said. “It’s important for them to get it all out there. We’re talking about accountability here.”
And with several players talking about possible changes to the process, both individually and as a team, Mendoza added, “We’re always looking for ways to improve. … It’s not for a lack of effort. It’s a game of adjustments.”
