Jared Hughes, Brad Brach rejoin Mets camp

Relief pitchers Brad Brach and Jared Hughes have reported to Mets camp. Both pitchers are on the injured list for undisclosed reasons to begin the 2020 season.

The Mets’ 30-man roster included nine relief pitchers to begin the season: Dellin Betances, Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo, Paul Sewald, Chasen Shreve, Drew Smith, Hunter Strickland, and Justin Wilson. It appears the team is likely to use Corey Oswalt, who was included on the roster, as its fifth starter, but it’s possible he could appear in relief if the Mets intend to use someone else in the fifth starter role.

Right now, per Steve Gelbs, Hughes is ahead of Brach in working his way back to the major league mound. Based on their respective performance in the big leagues over the past couple of years, both pitchers would help the Mets whenever they’re able to return. Hughes had a 4.04 ERA in 71.1 innings last year but posted an excellent 1.94 ERA in 78.2 innings in 2018. Brach had a 5.47 ERA in the 2019 season, but he finished the season strong after being let go by the Cubs and picked up by the Mets. In 14.2 innings with the team, he had a 3.68 ERA, roughly matching his performance from a solid 2018 season in which he threw 62.2 innings with a 3.59 ERA for the Orioles and Braves.