DONE DEAL: New York Mets Have Officially Confirmed The Signing MLB Promising Left-Handed Reliever From The Los Angeles Dodgers In Blockbuster Trade

The New York Mets have turned their season around in recent weeks, entering Monday at.500 (44-44) and only two games behind the last wild-card place. However, despite their recent success, a weakness has emerged: the bullpen.

The bullpen’s recent difficulties can be attributed in large part to its tremendous weakness.

Edwin Díaz has missed two major stretches due to a right shoulder impingement and a 10-game suspension. Drew Smith and Brooks Raley were both forced to have season-ending arm operations. Jorge López, a former all-star, was marked for assignment following an outburst, and the list goes on.

With their depth in question, the Blue and Orange acquired a talented left-handed reliever from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

The Mets acquired Matt Gauge from the Dodgers.

According to a statement on X, the Mets have acquired Matt Gauge from the Los Angeles Dodgers for monetary considerations and assigned the left-hander to Triple-A Syracuse.

Gauge has taken Smith’s position on the 40-man roster after the Texas native was sent to the 60-day injured list.

Gauge was designated for assignment last week and has spent the entire season pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma. The 31-year-old has 21 innings pitched in 20 appearances with a 4.29 ERA, 1.381 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts.

The New York native has had brief stints in the major leagues with the Houston Astros over the last two seasons, pitching 19.2 innings in 16 appearances with a 1.83 ERA, 1.068 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts.

What exactly does this mean for the Mets?

Gauge is simply a high-upside depth acquisition for the blue and orange. The 31-year-old possesses a decent four-pitch mix that includes a four-seam fastball, a cutter, a slider, and a sinker, which frequently results in whiffs and soft contact.

With a dearth of solid choices to call up and his solid numbers in major league appearances, however limited, a pair of strong performances for Triple-A Syracuse might provide Gauge with an opportunity to find a job in the Mets bullpen in the near future.