Mets announce bullpen changes and Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz opt-outs
Brooks Raley, who returned this season after Tommy John surgery. had a 2.45 ERA in 30 appearances. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Brooks Raley is coming back to the Mets. Drew Smith is not.
The Mets on Tuesday announced a slew of roster moves, including acquiring righthanded reliever Joey Gerber from the Rays in exchange for cash considerations. They also re-signed lefty Brandon Waddell, who pitched in 11 games with the team last year, compiling a 3.45 ERA.
As expected, Raley, who returned this season from Tommy John surgery and was one of Carlos Mendoza’s most reliable relievers, had his club option picked up. Smith, who spent his entire career with the Mets before tearing his UCL in 2024, had his club option declined and became a free agent.
A.J. Minter and Frankie Montas, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries, picked up their player options. Minter, who tore his left lat muscle, is expected to be ready for the 2026 season, with the Mets paying $11 million. Montas’ option is worth $17 million, though he won’t pitch next year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Gerber, meanwhile, has pitched in 19 major-league games — two with the Rays last season and 17 with the Mariners in 2020. The 28-year old compiled a 6.23 ERA in 34 appearances with Triple-A Durham last season with 54 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings; he allowed one earned run in 4 1/3 innings with the Rays.
The Mets also confirmed that Pete Alonso declined his player option and that Edwin Diaz opted out of the final three years of his contract, officially making both of them free agents.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
