Mets Claim Reliever with 6.38 ERA off Waivers

 

The New York Mets, as has been well-documented, are struggling. Badly. And the main source of their recent collapse has been a complete lack of offense. So the Mets went to the waiver wire to bring in some help today, claiming.... a reliever. 

We've claimed RHP Heath Hembree off waivers from Cincinnati. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Jacob deGrom has been transferred to the 60-Day IL. https://t.co/szOIefGhUL

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 20, 2021

Heath Hembree will join the Mets from the Cincinnati Reds. To make room on the roster, the Mets have placed ace Jacob deGrom on the 60-day IL. Retroactive to late July, he would technically still be able to return in late September, but as we reported on Thursday, sources say he is done for the season. 

So what's Hembree been up to this season? Let's just say that he's been "struggling" a bit of late. His ERA in his last 7 appearances with the Reds was 18.56, a span in which he'd allowed 11 earned runs in 5.1 innings.  

Hembree's last 15 appearances reveal only marginally better stats, a 9.45 ERA with an 0-3 record. Ok, so maybe his last 30 appearances will be better, right? Not so much. Over his last 26.2 innings, Hembree's ERA sits at 6.75. 

But to be fair, Hembree had some success as the Reds' closer earlier in the season. And what he does have going for him is some serious cheese. His strikeout ratio of 14.49 per 9 innings is 6th-best in baseball. 

The 32-year-old has spent 9 seasons in the big leagues, with a career ERA of 4.23. 

As for the Mets' offense? No cavalry to the rescue just yet. 

Photo Credit: Albert Cesare / The Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC