Can the Mets 2026 Bullpen Sustain Success?
The Mets 2026 bullpen has been really reliable and a strength this season. The bullpen, especially lately, due to starting pitchers' injuries and a heavier workload, has needed to step back, and it has. The starting rotation has been struck by the injury bug, with the team losing Clay Holmes, arguably the team's ace this season, to a long-term injury. In addition, they lost Kodai Senga early in the season and didn’t have Tylor Megill, who was out prior to the season with Tommy John surgery.
The Mets' current starting rotation consists of Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, and Christian Scott. The final two spots have been a combination of bullpen games with relievers starting games, then a starter in the bullpen as the bulk pitcher. David Peterson has been a prime example of this, and Jonah Tong, who just recently got called up, is also in this role. Two days ago, Tong was the bulk pitcher and did so successfully, pitching three scoreless innings, allowing zero hits, one walk, and two strikeouts. Due to his strong performance, the young right-hander likely earned another appearance in a bulk pitching role, continuing the Mets young movement, making an impact on the 2026 season.
Huascar Brazoban has been a huge difference maker for the bullpen. His ability to pitch multiple innings has been key for the bullpen, especially as he’s been the opener for Peterson, and it has led to success for the Mets. The righty has appeared in 22 games, where in 26 innings he has a 3-1 record, 1.73 ERA, 19 strikeouts, and a 0.88 WHIP. Brazoban was acquired from the Mets as a trade deadline acquisition in 2024 from the division rival Marlins. His journey hasn’t gone by smoothly with the Mets, as he was on the Mets 2024 postseason roster, and during the 2025 season, he split time between Triple-A and the big league club. The 36-year-old righty also shone during the World Baseball Classic, representing the Dominican Republic.
The back end of the bullpen has been the bullpen's strength this season. Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver, and Devin Williams have been the seven, eight, and nine-inning combo. The lefty has been with the team for four seasons and has been the most consistent reliever for the Mets during that span. So far this season, he has appeared in 22 games; in those 20 innings, he has a 1-1 record, 1.35 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and a 1.20 WHIP. Weaver, at times, has looked like he should be the closer during certain stretches this season. After starting the year with difficulties, his recent resurgence has been evident, and he has served as the setup man throughout the season. In his 21 games and 22.1 innings so far this year, he has pitched to a 2-1 record, 3.22 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and a 1.07 WHIP. Mets closer Williams has had an up-and-down first season in Flushing. Until this afternoon’s loss to the Marlins, when he gave up a game-winning grand slam, he had gone ten straight appearances without allowing a run.
