Apr 3, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Luis García (40) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
QUEENS, NY — With a thin, overworked bullpen, the Mets designated veteran reliever Luis Garcia for assignment prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Athletics and recalled right-hander Joey Gerber.
Garcia was signed on a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $1.75 million over the winter, yet lasted just 15 games into the new season. He posted a 7.11 ERA across six appearances with the Mets, including a shutout inning in Saturday’s loss.
The Mets used five different relievers after Kodai Senga was shelled for seven runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings of work.
“We needed an arm, especially with the way we’ve used the bullpen the last couple of nights,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I feel like we needed some protection there in case something bad happens again. Yeah, not an easy one. Luis had to pitch [Saturday] on a day where we were staying away from him… But I felt like we needed to get a fresh arm here.”
Gerber joined the Mets in November after making two appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays (2.08 ERA in 4.1 innings) last season. It was his first time back in the majors since the 2020 campaign with the Seattle Mariners, where he once shot up through the organization’s ranks to make his MLB debut less than two years after being drafted.
But injuries, most prominently a back issue that required surgery, derailed his career, and he spent two years in the Yankees’ organization before joining the Rays in 2024.
“You take it day by day, right?” Gerber told amNewYork. “Just being grateful for the opportunity and where you’re at each day [helped me get by] because if you’re not happy when you’re like, in Buffalo, you’re not going to appreciate what you have when you’re up here, either.”
Gerber got the call to join the Mets on Saturday night, took a 7 p.m. ET flight from Syracuse on Sunday morning, and headed straight to Citi Field from the airport.
“If you perform well, especially in New York, you’ll get opportunities. I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” Gerber said. “It sounds a little cliché, but I’m going to do everything I can to make the most of it and go from there.”
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