SAN DIEGO — Dedniel Nunez is set to return from the disabled list on Friday, giving the Mets a reliable bullpen pitcher back in the lineup.
Nunez was originally scheduled to join the Mets on Wednesday for an evaluation in New York and then fly west with the team, but there were issues with his travel from Triple-A Syracuse, manager Carlos Mendoza said.
The right-handed pilot flew separately on Thursday and was evaluated before being cleared to begin operations.
Nunez was a key setup option in the top of the eighth inning before landing on the disabled list with a strained pronator muscle in his right elbow.
The rookie appeared in 24 games with the team and posted a 2.43 ERA.
“If you look at the way he threw the ball before he went down, he was a high-leverage guy,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “His ability to catch right-handed hitters, catch left-handed hitters, throw strikes, the way he uses all his pitches, it puts our team in a better position. We have a lot of different options.”
To add Nunez, the Mets would have to remove a pitcher from their 26-man roster.
Danny Young, Reid Garrett and Huascar Brazovan are relief pitchers who still have minor league options.
If the Mets option Young, they’ll be left without a left-handed pitcher in the bullpen.
Mendoza said Harrison Bader was left out of the starting lineup for the third time in four games because of a matchup with Padres starter Dylan Cease.
Tyrone Taylor started in center field, Jeff McNeil started in right field and Starling Marte remained on the bench.
“I’ve talked to the guys about playing time, and if your name’s not in the lineup, it doesn’t mean you can’t play in the game,” Mendoza said. “They’re ready to go when needed and they understand where we are.”
Mendoza said Christian Scott has been throwing hard during long-toss drills and mixing in a changeup.
“He’s letting it all out,” Mendoza said.
The right-hander remains open to a return this season from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament that sidelined him for a month last month.
