Francisco Lindor didn’t need much time to size up Freddy Peralta after the former Mets right-hander faced New York for the first time since the trade.
After Lindor opened Tuesday’s game with a home run, the Mets shortstop was asked whether Peralta looked any different than he did during his time in Queens. Lindor’s answer was as direct as the matchup itself.
“No, not really. Very similar to how he was in Milwaukee as well. Freddy's a tough pitcher, he's a really good pitcher”
That leadoff blast was the Mets’ only real success against Peralta. Lindor turned on a 3-2 curveball for his 15th homer of the season, but the right-hander settled in from there and shut things down. Peralta held New York to one run over six innings, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out seven.
Tampa Bay went on to beat the Mets 6-2 on Tuesday at Tropicana Field.
Francisco Lindor was asked if Freddy Peralta looked different tonight than when he was on the Mets
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) September 2, 2026
"No, not really. Very similar to how he was in Milwaukee as well. Freddy's a tough pitcher, he's a really good pitcher" pic.twitter.com/8OCwuvYtK3
The outing came about a month after the Mets moved Peralta to the Rays on August 2, one day before the 2026 MLB trade deadline. New York had brought in the two-time All-Star from the Milwaukee Brewers in January with Tobias Myers, giving up prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat in that deal.
Peralta’s run with the Mets never fully clicked. He went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts before the club sent him to Tampa Bay for outfielder Aidan Smith, right-hander Gary Gill Hill, and infielder Emilien Pitre.
Lindor had already spoken highly of Peralta’s competitiveness when the pitcher first arrived in New York, and Tuesday’s comments carried the same tone after their first meeting as opponents.
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