Mets Option Jeremy Hefner To Buffalo, Expected To Recall Pedro Beato

After a rough outing against the Phillies this afternoon, Jeremy Hefner has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo by the Mets. Hefner had a 5.64 ERA in 30.1 innings for the Mets over the course of eleven appearances, eight of which came out of the bullpen. His peripherals were much better — 3.53 FIP, 3.83 xFIP — thanks to excellent control. Hefner issued just 0.59 BB/9.

In his place, the Mets are expected to bring back Pedro Beato, who has a 1.13 ERA in 19.0 innings in Buffalo this year despite pedestrian rates of 6.75 K/9 and 3.38 BB/9. Beato posted a 4.30 ERA, 4.22 FIP, and 4.64 xFIP in 67.0 innings with the Mets this year, but he throws a few miles-per-hour harder than Hefner with his fastball.

There are a few red flags in Beato's performance this year. Neither his .200 BABIP against nor his 81.1 percent strand rate are sustainable, and both numbers figure to be worse in the big leagues than they were at Triple-A. Given the Mets' bullpen struggles, it can't hurt to look at a new arm, but Beato is by no means a guarantee to make the bullpen better.