Mets Call Up Austin Warren Amid Injury Crisis
On Thursday night, the Mets decided to put newcomer Austin Warren right into the thick of things in front of a packed Citi Field. It was a big moment for him, especially after Griffin Canning’s abrupt departure seemed to signal trouble.
Warren, who had just been promoted from Triple-A Syracuse, had a tough start in the series finale against the Braves, only managing 2²/₃ innings before stepping up again. He came into the game after a disappointing outing in his first appearance.
Remarkably, he held his ground under pressure. Over 2¹/₃ innings, he allowed just a single hit and faced a couple of batters with pitches that might have been a bit too close for comfort.
“Adrenaline definitely kicked in,” Warren reflected afterward. “First and foremost, I’m hoping Griffin’s okay. It’s great to get a win, and I’m dedicating it to him.”
The righty not only helped the Mets split the series with their NL East counterparts but also earned his first major league win since 2023. It’s worth noting that Canning, who had gotten injured, was actually a close friend of Warren’s. The two were drafted just a year apart by the Angels.
This injury to Canning marked another blow to the Mets, dealing with their third starting pitcher out on the injured list in just two weeks. “Watching him go down was tough,” Warren admitted. “We hung out a lot when I made my debut. It just sucks to see him hurt.”
Warren’s journey hasn’t been easy. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023, he could only make six appearances in 2024. Nevertheless, he showcased his skills in the minors before getting called up, posting a 3.94 ERA with 35 strikeouts over 19 games in Triple-A.
Since joining the major leagues, he’s displayed a 2.94 ERA across 40 games. In this latest contest, he threw 32 pitches, landing 22 strikes.
Despite the pressure, he expressed gratitude for the support he received. “Carlos Mendoza was great in helping me through it. The defense really stepped up, and those strikeouts felt good,” he said, clearly relishing the moment.
