Mets Designate Veteran Reliever for Assignment

The team calls up a minor league pitcher to fill the bullpen spot.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:33pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a color palette of navy, green, and orange, conveying the idea of roster churn and instability in the Mets' bullpen.The Mets' bullpen shakeup continues as the team cycles through relief options in search of the right mix of arms.Syracuse Today

The New York Mets have designated veteran right-handed reliever Luis García for assignment and called up minor league pitcher Joey Gerber to take his place in the bullpen. García, who signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Mets in the offseason, has struggled with a 7.11 ERA in 6.1 innings to start the season.

Why it matters

The Mets have been looking to improve their bullpen, which has been a weak spot so far this season. Designating García for assignment is part of their ongoing roster churn as they try to find the right mix of relievers.

The details

García, 39, has pitched for six different teams since the beginning of the 2024 season. In his brief time with the Mets, he posted a 7.11 ERA and 2.80 FIP. The team has also previously designated Richard Lovelady for assignment as they continue to search for bullpen upgrades. Gerber, a right-hander, has a 5.40 ERA and 4.60 FIP in five innings at Triple-A Syracuse this year. He has limited major league experience, with a 3.60 ERA in 20 innings across the 2020 and 2025 seasons.

  • The Mets made the roster moves on April 12, 2026.

The players

Luis García

A 39-year-old right-handed reliever who the Mets signed to a one-year, $1.75 million contract in the offseason.

Joey Gerber

A minor league right-handed pitcher who the Mets have called up to fill the bullpen spot vacated by García.

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The takeaway

The Mets' bullpen has been a problem area so far this season, and the team is continuing to shuffle relievers in an effort to find the right mix. Designating the veteran García for assignment is part of their ongoing roster churn as they look to improve the bullpen.