Mets activate Brad Brach, Walker Lockett from IL, option Paul Sewald and Ali Sanchez

Prior to tonight’s game against the Nationals, the Mets activated Brad Brach and Walker Lockett from the injured list. To make room on their 28-man roster, the team optioned Paul Sewald and Ali Sanchez to the alternate site.

Brach has missed the entire year so far after battling COVID-19. The team picked up Brach last year during their playoff run after he was let go the Cubs, and he was an effective part of the bullpen down the stretch. In 16 appearances with New York, he posted a 3.68 ERA, a 2.67 FIP, a 1.23 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 14.2 innings after pitching to a 6.13 ERA and a 4.12 FIP in 39.2 innings with Chicago. Brach talked a little bit about the difficulty of ramping up after fighting coronavirus ahead of his activation.

Walker Lockett landed on the injured list on July 20 after experiencing back discomfort. After arriving in New York as part of the Kevin Plawecki deal before the 2019 season, Lockett pitched to an 8.34 ERA, a 6.17 FIP, and a 1.72 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 22.2 innings last year. He made four starts for New York in 2019, and figures to be an option to replace Michael Wacha or Marcus Stroman in the rotation. While the timing of his call-up might lead some to believe he will be the Wednesday starter, Luis Rojas mentioned before the game that he will be available in the bullpen tonight and the Wednesday pitcher is still TBA.

Sewald departs after a disastrous outing last night in relief of an equally-disastrous outing from Steven Matz. The right-handed reliever came in to mop up and was tagged for six earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. During his appearance, he allowed six hits, walked two, and hit one batter. The 30-year-old is now sporting an unsightly 13.50 ERA on the season. Meanwhile, Sanchez recorded his first major league at-bat last night, which resulted in a ground ball double play.