The New York Mets are gearing up for the new season, and while the Opening Day roster isn't set in stone, one name is now a lock: Huascar Brazoban. After an impressive showing at the World Baseball Classic, he's earned his spot among the 26.
As long as Brazoban stays healthy through the remainder of camp, his place on the roster is secured, according to Carlos Mendoza.
The Mets had options, considering Brazoban could have been sent to the minors in favor of a second lefty in the bullpen or veteran Craig Kimbrel. But they're betting on Brazoban carrying his preseason momentum into the regular season.
And why not? He was a force for the Mets in the early months of 2025, and a repeat performance-with perhaps a bit more strategic usage-could be exactly what the team needs.
Last year, Brazoban made a strong case for himself with a 1.40 ERA over his first 19.1 innings and a 1.26 ERA in May. It wasn't until June that he hit a rough patch, with a few tough outings skewing his overall stats.
Despite this, he wrapped up the season with a respectable 3.57 ERA over 63 innings. Those late June struggles are part of the reliever's rollercoaster life, but Brazoban's resilience showed when he returned from a minor league stint in August to finish strong in September, allowing just two earned runs over 10 innings.
Heading into this season, Brazoban's role is a bit more flexible. With Tobias Myers penciled in as the long reliever, Brazoban finds himself in a position where he could be just as effective as anyone else when he's on his game.
The Mets' decision to include him on the Opening Day roster reflects a desire for roster flexibility and a commitment to fielding the best players available. This approach also bodes well for players like Carson Benge and Mike Tauchman, who are expected to contribute significantly.
Brazoban might not be a fixture throughout all 162 games, especially with roster dynamics in play. If the Mets' pitching staff remains healthy, he could be the odd man out when A.J. Minter returns from the injured list in May.
In his final World Baseball Classic outing, Brazoban showcased his skills by getting Gunnar Henderson to ground out and striking out the side in the sixth inning. Facing high-level competition, the 36-year-old enters his fifth MLB season looking sharp, reminiscent of his stellar early 2025 form. The Mets are banking on that version of Brazoban to make a significant impact this year.