Grant

Hartwig

Hartwig spent 4 1/2 years in the Mets system and had a 5.14 ERA in 42 innings as a major leaguer before trying his luck in Japan over the summer. That didn’t quite click, apparently, so he’s back now to compete for a spot in a wide-open Minnesota bullpen. A sinker-slider guy with a mid-90s fastball, he’s a fringy major leaguer, but at least he has options remaining, allowing him to be shuffled back and forth as needed.

Hartwig heads overseas after making 32 relief appearances for the Mets since 2023. The 27-year-old righty posted a strong 29 percent strikeout rate this season for Triple-A Syracuse, but never wound up getting the call back to New York. He was cut loose earlier this month to pursue a more lucrative opportunity over in Japan.

Hagenman, 28, was signed to a one-year, $850,000 split contract over the winter with the expectation that he’d compete for a spot in the team’s Opening Day bullpen. He did his part in Grapefruit League action, posting a 1.25 WHIP with three strikeouts over four scoreless innings, there just simply wasn’t a spot for him in a very crowded bullpen mix. He’ll start the season off as extra depth at Triple-A Syracuse.

Hartwig was non-tendered by the Mets in November after registering a 6.75 ERA in 6 2/3 innings and undergoing knee surgery in late June. As a rookie in 2023, Hartwig posted a 4.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 30/15 K/BB ratio in 35 1/3 MLB innings in 28 appearances.

Paul Blackburn was tendered in spite of the back surgery that has him as a question mark for Opening Day. Young had a 3.29 ERA in 14 appearances for the Mets after being claimed off waivers from the Giants in July. The journeyman has a 4.34 ERA in 277 2/3 innings for five major leaguer teams over six seasons.

The right-hander is expected to be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks while recovering from the procedure. The 26-year-old hurler has registered a 6.75 ERA over 6 2/3 innings out of the Mets’ bullpen this season.

Hartwig was optioned to make room for Tylor Megill, who is being activated from the IL to start on Monday. The 26-year-old has a 6.75 ERA in 6 2/3 innings out of the Mets bullpen this year and figures to continue to serve as organizational bullpen depth.

Hartwig will rejoin the pen. He allowed two runs in three innings during an earlier stint with the team. Overall, he has a 4.93 ERA in 38 1/3 innings the last two years.

Hartwig threw two innings of reliever against the Dodgers on Sunday night, so the Mets sent him down to bring up a fresh arm for their bullpen. He should be up-and-down for most of the season.

The 26-year-old right-hander will replace the injured Brooks Raley (elbow) in the Mets’ bullpen. Hartwig has already made one appearance with the Mets this season, retiring all three hitters that he faced in a perfect inning of work. He’ll be utilized in middle relief.