Mets designate Chris Mazza for assignment to make room for Michael Wacha

The Mets officially announced the signing of Michael Wacha to a one-year contract and have designated right-haned relief pitcher Chris Mazza for assignment to clear a spot on the team’s 40-man roster for him. The roster remains full and will need another spot cleared whenever the Rick Porcello signing becomes official, as well.

The 30-year-old Mazza was a feel-good story this summer as he made his major league debut for the Mets after spending years in the minors. But in 16.1 innings of work for the team, he had a 5.51 ERA. Given the Mets’ roster, he was a pretty safe bet to get designated for assignment in the even that the team brought in any new players this offseason.

The 28-year-old Wacha is coming off a poor 2019 season that saw him finish the year with a 4.76 ERA and 5.61 FIP. He made 24 starts and five relief appearances for the Cardinals after having spent the vast majority of his career exclusively as a starting pitcher. If the Mets’ current group of starting pitchers remains intact, he figures to be one of the candidates to spend some time in the team’s bullpen during the 2020 season.