Newly-acquired Mets reliever Tyler Zuber is the latest former Long Island Duck to play in Queens
Rays pitcher Tyler Zuber throws during the sixth inning of a game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 22. Credit: AP/Seth Wenig
There is no official pipeline between the Long Island Ducks and the Mets. Sometimes, it just feels like there is.
The third and final player the Mets acquired on Tuesday’s trade deadline day was Tyler Zuber, a righthanded reliever from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Zuber, a 29-year-old righthander, opened the season with the Ducks before signing with the Rays. In Triple-A, he had a 2.49 ERA and struck out 29 in 21 2/3 innings. Zuber was called up by Tampa Bay last week and made his first big-league appearance since 2021.
“This is an interesting story,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “This is a guy who was pitching in indy ball not too long ago. He’s made some really fascinating [changes]. His pitch shapes have changed, he’s made some usage adjustments. We think he’s got the ability to get both-sided hitters out.
“Again, he’s got roster flexibility, which is something that’s going to be important for us as we go through the next couple months with all the games we have and long road trips. He’s got control left. He’s someone that, frankly, we were talking with the Rays about for a couple of weeks and we were able to line up today.”
If and when Zuber makes his Mets debut, he will join other former Ducks to play for the Mets. That list includes Deven Marrero, Nelson Figueroa, Justin Hampson, Scott Rice, Rich Hill, Rob Zastryzny and Michael Tonkin.
Also, the Mets recently signed former major league centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. off the Ducks roster. Bradley, who had a 28-game hitting streak for Long Island, is playing for Triple-A Syracuse.
Former Mets postseason hero Daniel Murphy played for Long Island last season in a comeback attempt. And, of course, former Mets shortsop and manager Buddy Harrelson co-founded and co-owned the Ducks, and the team has been managed by former Mets Harrelson, Gary Carter, Kevin Baez, and Wally Backman at various points.
Wink and you might miss him
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said the team is going to tread lightly with Jesse Winker, who started in rightfield for the second straight game on Tuesday.
Winker, whom the Mets acquired on Sunday from Washington, was removed after five innings in Monday’s 15-2 victory over the Twins and after six on Tuesday with the Mets leading 2-0.
Before Monday, Winker hadn’t played the outfield since June 30.
“He looked good,” Mendoza said before Tuesday’s game. “Gave us some good at-bats and moved around well, made a routine play. Came out feeling good. He's back in there today. Then we'll see how the game unfolds. So if I get the opportunity to take him out, I will. But he’s good to go.”
Trainer’s room
Francisco Alvarez missed his second straight start with left shoulder soreness . . . Starling Marte (right knee bone bruise) said he hopes to start a rehab assignment as soon as next week . . . Dedniel Nunez (right forearm strain) hasn't started throwing yet but hopes to later this week.
With Tim Healey
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
