Mets Select Anderson Severino

The Mets selected left-hander Anderson Severino’s contract and placed him on the 40-man roster while optioning him to Triple-A Syracuse. This move keeps him from leaving via an opt-out or assignment clause and allows the Mets to avoid an immediate major-league call-up. In a corresponding roster change, right-hander Clay Holmes was transferred to the 60-day injured list after suffering a fibula fracture, with an expected absence until August. Severino, 31, has performed strongly in Triple-A, posting a 1.04 ERA over 17 1/3 innings. His 12.1% walk rate is high, but he has struck out 27.3% of batters and generated grounders on 52.6% of balls in play. His 3.00 FIP indicates solid results beyond luck, supported by a fastball near 96 mph and a frequently used mid-80s slider.

"The Mets announced that they have selected the contract of left-hander Anderson Severino. He has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, so he will stick with that club, but he is now on the 40-man and could be recalled at any time. Right-hander Clay Holmes was transferred to the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move 40-man move. Holmes recently suffered a fibula fracture and is expected to be out of action until August."

"Severino, 31, signed a minor league deal with the Mets in the offseason. It's possible that the pact contained some kind of opt-out or assignment clause. That usually explains why a club would add a player to its 40-man roster and then immediately option him. Giving him a spot prevents him from opting out or getting sent elsewhere, but also doesn't require the club to immediately call the player up, which would then require a corresponding move. There have also been a few cases where a player has been given a roster spot to prevent him from pursuing an opportunity overseas."

"Whatever the reasoning, it's understandable that the Mets don't want Severino to get away, as he is out to a hot start. He has thrown 17 1/3 Triple-A innings so far this year, allowing just 1.04 earned runs per nine. His 12.1% walk rate is quite high but he has punched out 27.3% of batters faced and induced grounders on 52.6% of balls in play. His ERA has gotten some help from a .231 batting average on balls in play and 83.3% strand rate but Severino's 3.00 FIP suggests he would be getting good results even with more neutral luck."

"His fastball is averaging just over 96 miles per hour and he's throwing a mid-80s slider almost a third of the time, along with a rarely-used curve. It's not the first time Severino has posted good numbers in the minors but he has only received a brief look the majors. His big league track record currently consists of just 7 1/3 innings tossed for the White Sox in 2022. He is not quite back to the majors just yet but he is now in a good position to re"

Read at MLB Trade Rumors