The Mets continued to reshape their bullpen with the July 30 trade deadline just a day away, designating left-hander Jake Diekman for assignment while calling up fellow lefty Matt Gage.
Signed to a one-year, $4 million deal this past offseason, Diekman was brought in to be a high-leverage left-hander along with Brooks Raley, but Diekman’s tenure in Queens did not go to plan.
Over the course of 43 appearances this season, Diekman pitched to a 5.63 ERA. He did strike out 40 hitters in 32.0 innings, but his command was his biggest issue, as he walked 24 hitters (6.8 walks per nine) and hit four more.
Gage, 31, was traded to the Mets from the Dodgers on July 7. In five appearances with Triple-A Syracuse, Gage did not allow a run. He struck out seven over 5.1 innings, picking up three saves in the process.
