The Mets took a flier on an intriguing crosstown arm that could help their bullpen next season.
The club claimed reliever Stephen Ridings off waivers from the Yankees on Tuesday, giving the hard-throwing righty a chance to pitch even closer to home.
Ridings, a 27-year-old from Huntington, N.Y., did not pitch at all for the Yankees last season because of right shoulder impingement, which limited him to just two minor league appearances during a September rehab assignment.
But he made his MLB debut in pinstripes in 2021 and left a favorable impression, striking out seven and walking two while allowing one earned run over five innings in five games. The 6-foot-8 Ridings flashed a triple-digit four-seam fastball while also mixing in a sinker and slider.
“Super thankful for my, albeit short, time with the Yankees and the fans,” Ridings tweeted on Tuesday. “On to new opportunities.”
If he is able to stay healthy, Ridings could have a shot to impact the Mets bullpen, which is currently only set to return Edwin Diaz and Drew Smith from last year’s relief corps.
Ridings also has three minor league options remaining, which makes him even more valuable in case the Mets need to send him up and down between the major and minor leagues.
As expected, the Mets got three rejections to the qualifying offers they made to free agents Jacob deGrom, Brandon Nimmo and Chris Bassitt.
All three declined the one-year, $19.65 million qualifying offer ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, meaning that if they sign elsewhere, the Mets will recoup draft-pick compensation.
Of the 14 players extended qualifying offers across MLB, only two accepted: Giants outfielder Joc Pederson and Rangers lefty Martin Perez.