Daniel Duarte Could Be a Sneaky Weapon for the Mets Bullpen in 2026
The Mets have spent most of the offseason retooling their roster with a mix of headline moves and under-the-radar additions. While names like Bo Bichette naturally grab the spotlight, it’s the fringes of the 40-man roster-and those just outside of it-where the front office is quietly hoping to strike gold. One name worth circling as spring training approaches: Daniel Duarte.
Duarte isn’t a household name, and he’s not a top prospect lighting up radar guns with triple-digit heat. But he might be something just as valuable for a Mets bullpen that’s looking for stability and depth: a ground-ball machine with recent dominance under his belt and a chip on his shoulder.
Duarte’s Winter League Dominance
Let’s start with what Duarte just did in the Mexican Winter League. In 24 innings of work, he didn’t allow a single earned run.
That’s right-zero. That clean sheet came with only 10 hits allowed, just four walks, and a solid 1.5 BB/9 to go with an 8.5 K/9.
That’s the kind of performance that earns you more than just a spring training invite-it earns you a real shot to make a roster.
Now, no one expects Duarte to be untouchable once the regular season rolls around. The majors are a different beast, and he’s had his struggles at the highest level. But that winter stint wasn’t just a fluke-it was a reminder of what Duarte can offer when he’s locked in.
A Wild Card with Ground-Ball Upside
Duarte’s major league numbers paint a more complicated picture. In 36 career games, he’s posted a 3.99 ERA-not bad on the surface.
But the peripherals tell a different story, with a 6.11 FIP and a walk rate of 5.6 per nine innings that raises some red flags. Simply put, command has been an issue.
But here’s where it gets interesting: despite the walks and the low strikeout totals, Duarte has shown a knack for keeping the ball on the ground. His 47.3% ground ball rate is a key stat here. In an era where home runs can swing games in a heartbeat, pitchers who can keep the ball out of the air have real value-especially in middle relief roles where one bad pitch can flip momentum.
Duarte isn’t going to overpower hitters consistently, but his fastball still averages north of 95 mph. That velocity, paired with his ability to generate grounders, gives him a profile that could play well in a bullpen that needs more reliability from its depth arms.
Coming Off Surgery, But Trending Up
Duarte didn’t pitch in the majors last season after undergoing elbow surgery in 2024. His only competitive innings since then came during his dominant Winter League run. That makes him a bit of a mystery box heading into 2026, but the early signs are encouraging.
The Mets don’t need Duarte to be a high-leverage closer. What they need is someone who can come up when the bullpen is taxed, throw strikes, keep the ball on the ground, and eat some innings. Duarte checks those boxes-if he can keep the walks in check.
And here’s a key detail: Duarte still has a minor league option remaining. That flexibility makes him even more appealing. He doesn’t have to break camp with the big-league club, but he’s a strong candidate to be one of the first arms called up when the Mets need reinforcements.
Fringe Arms Fighting for a Spot
Duarte isn’t the only pitcher in the mix. The Mets are also taking a look at Dylan Ross, Ryan Lambert, Nate Lavender, Alex Carrillo, and Jonathan Pintaro-some on the 40-man roster, some not.
Carrillo and Pintaro got a brief taste of the majors last year, combining for just four appearances. Duarte, with his 36-game MLB résumé, stands out in terms of experience.
Still, experience alone won’t guarantee him a spot. Duarte will have to prove that his winter success can translate to the spring and, eventually, the regular season. But if he can harness that version of himself-the one who carved up hitters in Mexico-he could become a valuable piece of the Mets' bullpen puzzle.
Final Word
Daniel Duarte won’t be the name fans are chanting at Citi Field on Opening Day, and he might not even be on the roster when the season starts. But don’t be surprised if he becomes one of those quiet contributors who helps stabilize the bullpen over the long haul.
He’s got the stuff, the experience, and now, after a dominant winter, the momentum. Keep an eye on him this spring.