Joe Cavallaro/Photo by Ed Delany, MMN
The Mets’ brass have apparently taken notice of RHP Joe Cavallaro‘s breakout season as they’ve promoted him to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. He’ll start against the Erie SeaWolves on Thursday night.
In 13 starts this year with the Columbia Fireflies, Cavallaro has posted a 2.09 ERA with a 8-2 record and a 1.03 WHIP. In six out of his last seven starts, the 22-year-old has pitched at least six innings and has only allowed more than two runs in a start once this season. He as a South Atlantic League all-star this year.
Cavallaro was selected with the Mets 24th pick of the 2017 draft, making his rapid rise up the Mets minor-league system quite surprising. Cavallaro features a high leg kick, which makes his pitches hard to pick up for the hitter. He doesn’t throw an overpowering fastball, but his slider is nasty and comes from a tough angle to pick up.
Cavallaro will replace Marcos Molina‘s roster spot, who has been placed on the disabled list. Molina’s second season back from Tommy John Surgery has been horrendous, as he’s posted a 6.94 ERA and a 1.800 WHIP. If the Mets needed to open a 40-man roster spot, he was thought to be an roster casualty, but his current DL stint will prevent that from occurring.
Additionally, the Rumble Ponies released infielder Matt Oberste. After a promising 2017 campaign, Oberste has failed to produce much this year with his .185/.236/.292 slash-line. Finally, they also reinstated C Jose Garcia. He has hit .333/.412/.333 in limited time with the Ponies this year.
We finally have some pleasant injury news to report. T.J. Rivera will play his first game tonight since undergoing Tommy John Surgery last September. He’s slotted in as St. Lucie’s DH.
Hat tip to @nymets945 on Twitter for noticing the roster moves.
