Justin Hagenman walked to the mound in two innings Wednesday and began to throw warm-up pitches.
And it hit him.
He was a big leaguer.
“It’s okay, this is real,” the Mets right-hander said after a 4-3 loss to the twins in 10 innings on target field. “And you’re going to step onto the mound for the first pitch and go here.”
After seven minor league seasons, the 27-year-old Hagenmann, who had the Mets signed a major league contract in the offseason, got his chance and he wasn’t disappointed.
Hagenman, selected from Triple A Syracuse as the sixth “starter” with Griffin Canning Chic, pitched 3¹/₃ innings behind opener Haskar Brazovan, earning one run with three hits on four strikeouts.
“He gave us what we were asking,” Coach Carlos Mendoza said.
It could have been a cameo for Hagenmann. Hagenman could return to Syracuse on Thursday.
The deal allows the team to remember the reliefer Max Kranick without having to wait for the corresponding roster.
Kranick was selected to Syracuse to create a roster space for Hagenman.
Once Hagenman is selected, Mets can select a player from Syracuse (presumably José Azócar) to further increase the outfield depth for the team.
Canning is set to pitch Thursday’s series opener against the Citifield’s Cardinals, with David Peterson, Kodaisenga and Clay Holmes being tailored for the next three games.
The sixth starter insert offers extra rest for Senga, especially in this 13-day consecutive game.
Hagenman understands the situation on the roster, but looks forward to more opportunities in the major leagues as well.
“This is where you want to be, so no matter what happens, how can you get back here?” Hagenman said. “How can I stay here as much as I can?
“It’s the best feeling in the world, so that’s what we can do and now we realise that it was everything.”
