Mets welcome back Familia, Nido, Nimmo, and Stroman; Peterson to IL

The Mets welcomed back a lot of talent to their team today.

Most notable among them is Brandon Nimmo, who last played for the Mets on May 2 and has been out with a torn ligament in his left index finger. Nimmo will be playing center field and batting leadoff against the Yankees this evening.

Marcus Stroman is also returning to the team after bereavement leave and is scheduled to pitch tomorrow against Gerrit Cole, weather permitting. One of his battery mates, Tomás Nido, is also returning after a wrist injury he suffered on June 21 sidelined him. The bullpen will also get a boost with the return of Jeurys Familia, who entered the 10-day injured list on June 21 with a right hip impingement.

To make room for the returning players, the Mets have optioned Patrick Mazeika, Travis Blankenhorn, and Thomas Szapucki to Triple-A Syracuse. In addition, the team has placed David Peterson on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 1.

Searching for pitching depth after a rash of injuries, the Mets have traded minor league infielder Will Toffey to the San Francisco Giants for left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda. Banda is 27 years old and has pitched in 18 games over four seasons with the Diamondbacks and with the Rays. He has registered a 6.86 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP over 39 innings in Triple-A Sacramento this season.