Huascar Brazovan wasn’t surprised to be traded before Tuesday’s deadline, but the powerhouse reliever didn’t expect his destination to be the Mets.
“I’d heard the rumors, but I’d never heard of the Mets,” Brazovan said through an interpreter before pitching one scoreless inning in the Mets’ 8-3 loss to the Twins on Wednesday. “When I heard the news, I was really excited. I’ve pitched in this city before, so I know what it’s like around here.”
The 34-year-old right-hander joined from the Marlins after posting a 2.93 ERA and 1.011 WHIP in 30 2/3 innings this season.
The 34-year-old Dominican Republic native gives the Mets another relief pitcher capable of pitching multiple innings per game.
“I’m the type of pitcher who’s going to fight to win every day,” Brazovan said. “I just attack the hitters every time I’m on the mound.”
With the Mets trailing 8-2 after the ninth inning, manager Carlos Mendoza called up Brazovan to make his team debut.
He pitched a scoreless inning with one walk and two strikeouts, his final pitch being recorded at 99.1 mph, when he struck out Twins cleanup hitter Matt Wallner.
“It was good. The changeup, the life in the fastball, we’ve seen it. I think we faced him right after the game.” [All-Star] “The break in Miami was great,” Mendoza said, recalling Brazovan’s two shutout games against the team on July 20 and 22. “Really good fastball. Hitters seemed to have a hard time catching it at times. Cutter, changeup, clean innings, good innings.”
Brazovan pitched shutout relief appearances against the Marlins and Phillies in last year’s postseason and is excited to be back in playoff contention with the Mets this year.
“I’m excited. I had a really great time last year with the Marlins, going to the playoffs,” Brazovan said. “When you’re pitching with a shot at a playoff spot, it makes the game more exciting and makes it even more exciting.”
