The New York Mets made a series of roster moves this week that could shape the final stretch of their 2025 season and improve their chances of securing an NL Wild Card spot, combining veteran changes with a significant prospect call-up.
The headline move came Thursday when the Mets claimed reliever Wander Suero off waivers from the Braves. Suero, 33, had been dominant in Triple-A Gwinnett this season, posting a 1.35 ERA with 39 strikeouts and just nine walks in 40 innings. His big-league results haven’t been as sharp. He was tagged for 8 earned runs across 6.1 innings in Atlanta, but the Mets believe his minor-league success could translate to bullpen stability.
To make room, the club optioned Kodai Senga to Triple-A Syracuse after a rough run on the mound. Once the ace of the rotation, Senga has been tagged for a 6.56 ERA over his last eight starts and allowed 11 home runs in that span. The demotion is intended to give him time to reset before the Mets make decisions about their 2026 staff.
The Mets also received a significant boost behind the plate as Francisco Álvarez was activated from the IL. The 23-year-old catcher had been sidelined with a fractured finger and sprained thumb, but returned strong during his rehab stint. He blasted a 405-foot grand slam for Triple-A Syracuse last weekend and went 5-for-16 overall in five games. Before the injury, Álvarez hit .238 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs in 73 games for New York this season.
Looking ahead, fans will get a glimpse of the future when right-hander Brandon Sproat makes his MLB debut Sunday against the Reds. The 24-year-old, ranked among the Mets’ top prospects, has been impressive at Triple-A, carrying a 4.24 ERA with 128 strikeouts in 121 innings this year. Since late May, he’s been even sharper, putting up a 2.78 ERA over 16 starts, including nine strikeouts in a scoreless outing his last time out.
With Suero joining the bullpen, Álvarez returning to the lineup, and Sproat stepping into the rotation, the Mets are clearly focused on evaluating talent as they prepare for the 2025 postseason and regroup for 2026.