Mets Cut Ties With $1.75M Veteran Reliever After Early Struggles

Newcomers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver shine as Luis García's poor start becomes an early-season regret for the team.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:57am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange, conveying the turbulence of a struggling veteran reliever.A fractured, cubist illustration captures the struggles of a veteran reliever as the Mets' bullpen undergoes an offseason overhaul.NYC Today

The New York Mets made a notable offseason move by signing veteran reliever Luis García to a guaranteed $1.75 million contract. However, just two weeks into the season, the Mets have already designated García for assignment after he struggled mightily, allowing six runs in 5.1 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Mets' other new bullpen additions, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, have performed well, highlighting García's early season struggles as a major regret for the team.

Why it matters

The Mets' decision to move on from García so quickly, despite owing him $1.75 million this season, shows how much the signing has become an early-season disappointment. It also underscores the importance of bullpen depth and performance, especially for a team with high expectations like the Mets.

The details

In five appearances this season, García allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits, with his average fastball velocity down by 3 mph from 2025. The Mets ultimately decided to designate him for assignment, parting ways with the veteran reliever despite the guaranteed money still owed to him.

  • On Sunday morning, the Mets designated Luis García for assignment.
  • García signed a guaranteed $1.75 million contract with the Mets this offseason.

The players

Luis García

A veteran right-handed reliever who the Mets signed to a guaranteed $1.75 million contract this offseason, but who struggled mightily in his first two weeks with the team.

Devin Williams

One of the Mets' new bullpen additions this offseason, who has performed well so far this season.

Luke Weaver

Another new Mets bullpen addition this offseason, who has also performed well to start the season.

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What they’re saying

“Barely two weeks into the season, the Mets designated veteran right-hander Luis García for assignment on Sunday. García was one of three relievers the team signed to guaranteed Major League contracts over the offseason, along with Devin Williams and Luke Weaver.”

— Anthony DiComo, MLB.com reporter

“The offseason changes the New York Mets made to their lineup and starting rotation generated most of the headlines, but the bullpen has a new look, too. Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, the big-name additions to the 'pen, have been mostly as advertised, but the same cannot be said about Luis Garcia, who has really struggled.”

— Zachary Rotman, FanSided writer

What’s next

The Mets will look to fill García's roster spot with another reliever, as they continue to build out their bullpen for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Mets' quick decision to move on from García despite owing him $1.75 million shows how much the signing has become an early disappointment. It also highlights the importance of bullpen depth and performance for a team with high expectations like the Mets.