The Mets announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Eric Orze from Triple-A Syracuse. Fellow righty Ty Adcock has been optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move.
Adcock was one of three relievers who saw action in the Mets’ 14-2 loss to the Pirates last night, and Adcock had a particularly rough night in getting charged with six runs over 1 2/3 innings of work. Today’s transaction brings a fresh arm into New York’s bullpen, and it also puts the 26-year-old Orze in position to make his Major League debut.
A fifth-round pick for the Mets in the pandemic-shortened 2020 draft, Orze had quite a journey just to start his pro career, overcoming both testicular cancer and skin cancer during his days at the University of New Orleans. He quickly rose up the minor league ladder to Triple-A by the end of the 2021 season, but has since remained at the top affiliate over parts of four seasons now, posting a 4.64 ERA over 159 total frames with Syracuse.
Home runs and walks have been Orze’s biggest issues, as he has a 1.4 HR/9 and 12.28% walk rate over his Triple-A career. This season in particular, Orze has a 1.64 HR/9 and 13.3% walk rate, yet he has continued to miss bats in impressive fashion. His 33.9% strikeout rate is his best yet over his three full seasons in Syracuse, and he has a 31.72K% as a whole in Triple-A.
It’s possible Orze’s selection might result in just a proverbial cup of coffee in the majors, yet with the Mets looking to fill holes in an injury-riddled bullpen, there’s certainly some opportunity for Orze to gain more time on the active roster if he pitches well. He’ll join a wide array of right-handers in a Mets bullpen that features only one healthy left-handed arm in Jake Diekman.