The New York Mets announced today that they have acquired left-handed pitcher Matt Gage from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a deal involving cash considerations. Following the transaction, Gage was assigned to Triple-A. To accommodate Gage on the 40-man roster, the Mets shifted right-handed pitcher Drew Smith to the 60-day injured list.
Gage, 31, originally selected by the San Francisco Giants in the tenth round of the 2014 MLB Draft, made his major league debut in 2022 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He has also pitched for the Houston Astros and has appeared in a total of 16 major league games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Despite his relatively late start at the top level, Gage boasts an impressive 1.83 ERA and 3.97 FIP over 19 2/3 innings, along with a notable 26% strikeout rate. However, his control has been a concern, evidenced by an 11.7% walk rate.
Earlier this year, Gage joined the Dodgers following a trade involving Caleb Ferguson and the Yankees. He briefly left the Dodgers after being released from his major league contract but was re-signed to a minor league deal.
Gage had been pitching at the Triple-A level in Oklahoma City, where he continued to strike out a high percentage (29.3%) of batters but also struggled with walks (13% rate). His time with the Dodgers came to an end after he utilized an opt-out clause in his contract and was then dealt to the Mets.
For the Mets, Gage provides a potentially valuable addition to a bullpen that has faced challenges. Mets relievers had compiled a 4.62 ERA since May—ranking unfavorably compared to other National League teams—and their 4.50 FIP also placed near the bottom league-wide. The existing left-handed relief options have particularly struggled, with Jake Diekman posting a 5.06 ERA and others like Tyler Jay and Josh Walker also delivering below expectations in limited outings.
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Gage’s solid track record suggests he could soon find himself in a significant role with the Mets, contributing at the major league level if he can maintain similar performance standards.
With regards to Drew Smith, the move to the 60-day IL was somewhat anticipated following reports that he might need Tommy John surgery due to damage in his ulnar collateral ligament. This adjustment to the injured list will not alter his expected recovery timeline, which already cast doubt on his playing prospects for the remainder of 2024.
