The New York Mets have made what could be their final roster adjustment of the 2026 season, making another late change to their bullpen ahead of the season finale against the Washington Nationals.
The Mets announced that right-handed pitcher Jonathan Pintaro has been placed on the injured list because of an illness. In a corresponding move, the club recalled left-hander Jefry Yan from the minor leagues.
With the Mets scheduled to finish their season in Washington, the move gives Yan another opportunity to take the mound at the major league level after it initially appeared that his 2026 campaign with New York had already come to an end.
Yan had been optioned to the minors just one day earlier, when the Mets brought up right-handed pitcher Chayce McDermott. However, Pintaro’s illness created an opening on the roster, allowing Yan to return almost immediately.
The timing means Yan could now make one final appearance for the Mets before the club closes the book on a difficult 2026 season.
Another Late-Season Bullpen Change
Roster movement has been a recurring theme for the Mets throughout the closing stages of the season, particularly when it comes to their pitching staff.
The latest transaction continues that pattern, with New York once again turning to its minor-league depth to fill an immediate need.
Pintaro’s placement on the injured list is not related to his performance but rather an illness that has prevented him from remaining available for the final game. His absence opens a spot that the Mets have elected to fill with Yan, a pitcher who has already spent time with the big-league club this season.
For Yan, the move provides an unexpected opportunity. After being sent down following Saturday’s game, he could have been preparing to finish the season with the organization’s minor-league system. Instead, he is back with the Mets for the finale.
That gives him another chance to show the organization what he can provide heading into the offseason.
Pintaro’s 2026 Numbers
Pintaro appeared in 30.2 innings for the Mets at the major league level this season.
During that time, he posted a 5.28 earned-run average and recorded a 5.12 Fielding Independent Pitching mark. While the results were inconsistent, the right-hander still gained valuable experience working against major league hitters.
Most of Pintaro’s season was spent with Triple-A Syracuse, where he logged considerably more innings.
In 40.1 innings for Syracuse, Pintaro recorded a 4.02 ERA and a 3.76 FIP. The difference between his major-league and Triple-A numbers illustrates the challenge he faced while transitioning between levels during the season.
His Triple-A performance also gives the Mets something to consider when evaluating his future.
According to FanGraphs, Pintaro is expected to have minor-league options remaining next season. That could give New York additional flexibility if the organization decides to keep him in the competition for a bullpen role during spring training.
The ability to move a pitcher between the majors and minors can be particularly valuable for a team trying to build depth.
Yan Gets One More Chance
Jefry Yan’s return is perhaps the most interesting part of the latest transaction.
The left-hander has already appeared in 20.1 innings for New York this season, posting a 4.87 ERA and a 4.82 FIP.
Those numbers indicate that Yan has experienced his share of challenges during his time in the majors, but the final game of the season gives him another opportunity to leave the organization with a positive impression.
Because Yan was only recently optioned, his immediate return also highlights how quickly circumstances can change during the final days of a baseball season.
For a player fighting for a role in next year’s bullpen, even a single additional appearance can matter.
Yan will have an opportunity to face major league hitters once again and potentially provide the Mets with another piece of information as they evaluate their pitching staff for 2027.
What the Move Means for the Offseason
Although this transaction is primarily about getting through the final game, the performances of players such as Pintaro and Yan could become part of the Mets’ broader offseason evaluation.
New York will have several questions to answer regarding its pitching depth. Bullpen construction is often about having enough reliable options to handle injuries, workload issues and performance fluctuations over a long season.
Having pitchers with remaining options can give an organization additional flexibility. A player can potentially begin the season in the minors while remaining available for a call-up when circumstances require it.
That could be relevant to Pintaro if the Mets decide that he remains part of their plans.
Yan’s situation may be similar. His 2026 major-league numbers will be part of the organization’s evaluation, along with his performance in the minors and how he handles opportunities against major league competition.
The final game therefore represents more than simply another appearance on the schedule for some of these players. It can also serve as another data point for the front office.
A Season Defined by Roster Movement
The Mets’ final transaction of the regular season provides another example of how fluid a major league roster can become.
Players can be optioned, recalled or placed on the injured list within a matter of days, especially during the final stretch of a season when teams are managing workloads and evaluating players for the future.
Yan’s situation is a perfect example.
One day, he was headed back to the minors. The next, an unexpected illness created an opening, bringing him back to the major league roster.
For Pintaro, the move ends his major league season because of an illness after a year that saw him move between New York and Syracuse.
Now the Mets will turn their attention to the offseason and the decisions that come with rebuilding and reshaping the roster.
The organization will have to determine which pitchers remain in the plans, which players require additional development time and where outside additions may be necessary.
One Final Opportunity
For Yan, however, there is still one game left.
His recall gives him another chance to pitch for the Mets before the 2026 season officially concludes. It is an opportunity to finish his major league campaign on the mound rather than in the minors.
Meanwhile, Pintaro will finish his season having accumulated more than 70 innings between the major and minor leagues, giving the Mets plenty of information to evaluate when they begin planning for 2027.
The latest transaction may appear minor compared with the larger offseason decisions ahead, but it represents the final piece of roster movement for a Mets team preparing to turn the page.
Unless another unexpected development occurs before first pitch, New York’s bullpen should enter the season finale with Yan back in the fold and Pintaro on the injured list.
After a season filled with changes, the Mets now have one final game to play before their attention shifts completely toward what comes next.
