Jerry

Blevins

Blevins announced the news on his personal Twitter account Tuesday. The 37-year-old left-hander signed a minor league contract with the Mets over the offseason but did not appear to be in their immediate plans for the 2021 campaign. He last pitched in a major league game with the Braves in September 2019.

The 37-year-old southpaw pitched four seasons with the Mets from 2015 - 2018, where he registered a 3.38 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 138 2/3 innings. He had signed a minor league deal with the Giants prior to spring training last season, but was released in early April. He’ll add bullpen depth for the Mets.

Blevins signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training back in January. The left-hander was relatively useful with the Braves in 32 1/3 innings with a 3.90 ERA and 37/16 K/BB ratio, but struggled in the Cactus League by allowing nine earned runs in just 3 2/3 innings. He’ll likely be given a chance to make another club when and if the roster freeze for 2020 comes to an end.

Blevins posted a 3.90 ERA and 37/16 K/BB ratio over 32 1/3 innings for the Braves last season. It’s fair to question how useful the 36-year-old can be with the three-batter minimum being instituted, but on a minor league deal there’s no risk.

The Braves had a four-run lead entering the final frame. Mark Melancon began the ninth inning and surrendered four hits and two runs. With the tying runs still on base, Braves manager Brian Snitker had seen enough and turned to the left-handed Blevins to strike out Michael Conforto for the final out. Blevins is unlikely to get more than one or two save chances down the stretch. The Braves bullpen is a mess despite adding Shane Greene, Chris Martin and Melancon at the deadline. In addition to Melancon’s latest meltdown, Martin allowed a run and Greene fired a clean eighth inning in this game. Greene is likely to see the next save chance the Braves create.

He will replace Jonny Venters on the active roster. Blevins was DFA’d last week and finds himself right back in the majors. He has allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings over six relief appearances for the Braves this year. This is his 13th big-league season.

Blevins was acquired from the Athletics for cash considerations on April 28, and after pitching relatively well in his first few outings, he was shelled for four runs against the Dodgers on May 7 and hadn’t pitched since. If no one claims the southpaw, he’ll likely report to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Blevins was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas before the season started, and he owned a 1.69 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 10 2/3 innings in seven appearances. He should get a chance to face left-handed hitters in the Atlanta bullpen, but isn’t likely to get many high-leverage situations. In a corresponding move, Wes Parsons was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Blevins surrendered eight earned runs on six hits and three walks over just three innings of relief work this spring in the Cactus League. He signed a minor league contract with Oakland back in early February.

This confirms a report from Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. He would make a $1.5 million salary if he’s in the majors. Barring something unforeseen, Blevins stands a solid chance to make the A’s Opening Day roster. The veteran southpaw had a down 2018, but he posted a 2.87 ERA with 12.0 K/9 over 148 appearances between 2016-2017.