Mets Bullpen Gets a Boost with A.J. Minter Nearing Return
The Mets’ bullpen just got a shot of optimism heading into spring. Left-hander A.J.
Minter, who missed nearly all of 2025 with a torn lat, is tracking to be ready for Opening Day-or shortly after. And for a relief corps that struggled to find consistency last season, that’s big.
Minter was limited to just 11 innings in his first year with the Mets after signing a two-year, $22 million deal. But those 11 innings?
Electric. He posted a 1.64 ERA and struck out nearly a third of the batters he faced, flashing the elite stuff that made him such a coveted late-inning arm.
For a bullpen that lacked swing-and-miss weapons down the stretch, Minter’s return could be a game-changer.
He picked up his $11 million player option for 2026, and now the focus shifts to getting him back to full strength. Even if he opens the year with a brief IL stint to finish his rehab, the expectation is that he’ll be ready early in the season. If he’s anywhere near his pre-injury form, the Mets suddenly have a formidable late-inning trio with Minter joining newly acquired closer Devin Williams and right-hander Luke Weaver.
But there’s some risk baked in. Before the injury, Minter’s fastball velocity dipped to a career low-never a good sign for a power reliever.
The Mets are betting that was more injury-related than a sign of long-term decline. If the velo and command return, they could be looking at one of the best back-end bullpens in the NL East.
If not, they’re paying a premium for uncertainty. Either way, Minter’s health looms large over what this bullpen-and by extension, this team-can become.
Luis Robert Jr. Nearly Became a Yankee Before Mets Pounced
Luis Robert Jr. landing in Queens might’ve come as a surprise, but it almost didn’t happen at all. The Yankees reportedly had him lined up as their Plan B if they missed out on Cody Bellinger.
When the Mets missed on Kyle Tucker, they didn’t wait around. They moved quickly to strike a deal with the White Sox, sending Luisangel Acuña and a prospect to Chicago in exchange for one of the most tantalizing talents in the game.
Robert is the definition of a high-risk, high-reward move. The tools are still there-elite bat speed, raw power, and Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field-but the production has dipped.
He hit just .223 in 2025 and hasn’t looked like the same offensive force he was earlier in his career. Still, the Mets are betting that the underlying talent hasn’t gone anywhere.
They believe their hitting coaches and analytics team can help unlock the version of Robert that once looked like an MVP in the making.
Even if the bat doesn’t fully bounce back, Robert’s glove gives the Mets a legitimate center fielder-something they’ve lacked for a while. His range, speed, and defensive instincts are tailor-made for Citi Field’s spacious outfield. He immediately improves the team’s run prevention, and if the offense clicks, he’s a potential star.
At 28, Robert is still in his prime. He’s motivated, he’s healthy, and he’s now in a clubhouse with playoff expectations.
The Mets didn’t just add a name-they added upside. And given how close he came to wearing pinstripes, this might end up being one of the more quietly significant moves of the offseason.
Kodai Senga: The Mets’ Biggest X-Factor in 2026
Kodai Senga heads into 2026 with more questions than answers. He’s no longer the undisputed ace of the staff, but he might be the most important pitcher on the roster. His 3.02 ERA in 2025 looks solid on paper, but dig a little deeper, and the picture gets murkier.
Senga started strong last season, but a midseason injury derailed his rhythm. He struggled with command down the stretch, and the advanced metrics weren’t kind.
His fastball became increasingly hittable, and his walk rate spiked-never a good combo. While his forkball remains one of the nastiest pitches in the league, he too often found himself behind in counts, leading to more hard contact and fewer clean innings.
Projections for 2026 suggest some regression is coming, with most models pegging him as more of a mid-rotation arm than a frontline starter. And honestly, that’s fine-if he can stay healthy.
The Mets don’t need Senga to be a Cy Young candidate; they need him to be reliable. Give them 120+ innings with a mid-3s ERA, and that’s a win.
The key will be fastball command. If Senga can locate it well enough to set up his offspeed arsenal, he’ll be tough to square up.
But at 33, with some durability concerns, the margin for error is smaller than it used to be. His ability to adjust and stay on the mound could very well determine how far this rotation can carry the Mets in 2026.
Bottom Line
The Mets are walking a tightrope in 2026, balancing high-upside bets with real risk. A healthy A.J.
Minter could anchor a dominant bullpen. Luis Robert Jr. might just rediscover his star form in a new environment.
And Kodai Senga’s season could swing the rotation from solid to special-or shaky. There’s no shortage of talent on this roster, but the outcomes will hinge on health, adjustments, and a little bit of luck.
One thing’s for sure: the pieces are in place. Now it’s about putting them together.