Manager Jeremy Hefner was hoping right-hander Michael Tonkin could perform as well as he has in recent weeks, after not allowing a run in his past seven starts.
But the Mets pitching coach expected him to achieve that in Queens.
Tonkin, like fellow former Mets relief pitcher Johan Ramirez, has been a championship-caliber pitcher since being designated a designated player by the Mets this season.
Tonkin has flourished with the Yankees, while Ramirez has been a valuable weapon in the Dodgers’ relief corps.
Hefner noted that neither pitcher was released because of their performance, but rather because the team needed more pitchers in the bullpen after the starting rotation didn’t have enough length early in the season.
Neither Tonkin nor Ramirez had minor league options, so the Mets ultimately designated both for assignment.
Ramirez, who was traded first to Baltimore, then returned to the Mets before being acquired by the Dodgers, pitched three scoreless innings in two games for the Mets during his second stint in Queens.
Tonkin, who went from the Mets to the Twins and then back to the Mets, posted a 5.14 ERA in five games with Queens before eventually being dealt to the Yankees, where he earned the save Monday night at Kansas City.
“We knew what those guys were capable of,” Heffner said, “but we didn’t have any other relief options and sometimes you have to make decisions.”
The Mets entered Tuesday tied for 22nd in the major leagues in innings pitched by their starting pitchers, but that was affected by injuries to Kodai Senga, Tyler Megill and David Peterson and a slump from Adrian Hauser.
By comparison, the Yankees were third and the Dodgers 13th in innings pitched.
And the Mets have had to rely on their bullpen more than they would have liked, watching as two talented pitchers they acquired earlier this year excelled in other areas.
“We’re both happy,” Hefner said, “and maybe a little frustrated, but that’s out of our control.”
