New York Mets Sign Veteran Pitcher

The New York Mets have signed right-handed pitcher Dominic Leone to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million after he opted out of his minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers.

The 31-year-old Leone had been pitching for the Rangers' Triple-A team before the Mets signed him to bolster their bullpen, which has been struggling with injuries and lack of depth.

Mets sign righty reliever Dominic Leone to MLB deal. He recently opted-out of deal w/ Texas.

1.59 ERA & 11.9 K/9 in AAA this year.

Leone had 2.71 ERA over last 2 MLB seasons for Giants.100th percentile in chase rate last year. Fastball averaged 96 & slider gets ton of whiffs pic.twitter.com/zbpArWaw1E
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) May 4, 2023

Leone had appeared in eight games for the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate this season and had a 1.59 ERA before being signed by the Mets.

Leone, a veteran of ten major league seasons, finished the 2022 season with a 4.01 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts in 55 relief appearances for the San Francisco Giants. They released him in September due to elbow impingement.

Appears the Mets have made a signing. Pitcher Dominic Leone is in Detroit with a uniform and a locker.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 4, 2023

The Mets hope that Leone's experience and success will help provide some much-needed depth and stability to their bullpen, which has been in need of additional arms, especially with left-hander Brooks Raley on the injured list.

To make room for Leone and Justin Verlander, who was also activated from the injured list for his Mets debut, John Curtiss and Zach Muckenhirn were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Additionally, Omar Narvaez was moved to the 60-day injured list to make room for Leone on the 40-man roster.

Leone is expected to fill a role as a middle relief pitcher for the Mets, who are currently third in the NL East with a 16-13 record.

For his career, he holds a decent 3.69 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 373 strikeouts across 356 innings. Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports