Reed

Garrett

Garrett rejoins New York’s high-leverage mix for Saturday’s showdown against the Mariners. The 31-year-old righty, who has been out since mid-July due to elbow inflammation, has four saves this season to go along with a solid 3.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 63/22 K/BB ratio across 42 innings (36 appearances).

The 31-year-old hurler is with the Mets on Friday, but hasn’t been activated just yet. He has been shelved since mid-July due to inflammation in his pitching elbow, but has made tremendous progress and is ready to rejoin the Mets’ bullpen.

Garrett was making his second rehab appearance after giving up three runs for Double-A Binghamton on Sunday. He’ll likely be activated this weekend.

Garrett told reporters he’s aiming to progress to throwing off a bullpen mound this weekend. The 31-year-old reliever has made a rapid recovery after hitting the injured list back in mid-July with right elbow inflammation. An MRI didn’t reveal any structural damage so he’s begun ramping up his throwing program and could return at some point in August.

It’s an extremely encouraging update for Garrett as he’s been diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his right elbow and will be shut down from throwing for the next 2-4 weeks. There was some cause for concern earlier this week when the 31-year-old righty hit the injured list with elbow inflammation, but it doesn’t appear that he’s facing a lengthy absence.

The break might be good for Garrett, who, after posting a 0.72 ERA in his first 17 appearances, had a 7.94 ERA in his last 19 outings. The newly acquired Phil Maton could step into his setup role.

Tyler Jay struggled in the bottom of the 10th after the Mets scored six runs in the top of the inning, so Garrett got an easy save chance. Needing just one out with a three-run lead, he gave up a single to Keibert Ruiz before retiring Luis García Jr. to end the game.

The suspension became automatic the moment Díaz was tossed last night, though he can appeal it. Díaz said after the game that all he had on his hand was rosin, sweat and dirt. The Mets will go back to getting by with Adam Ottavino and Reed Garrett in the ninth.

Díaz threw a bullpen session on Tuesday without any issues and the Mets are hoping to have one of their primary closing options back on June 11, when first eligible to return. The electrifying 30-year-old righty hit the injured list back in late May with a right shoulder impingement. He’s struggled this season, but remains arguably the best option for New York manager Carlos Mendoza moving forward over Adam Ottavino, Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett.

Diekman was brought on in the ninth inning with the Mets ahead by a pair of runs at the time after Adam Ottavino got into a bases-loaded, one-out jam. The 37-year-old southpaw was somehow able to escape with the lead intact. He got a sacrifice fly from pinch-hitter Joey Meneses to kick things off before striking out Drew Millas to end the contest and preserve the victory. It’s not a situation fantasy managers will be extracting much value from moving forward, but Diekman figures to be in the mix with Ottavino and Reed Garrett moving forward for saves in New York.