The New York Mets announced on Thursday that they have selected RHP Kyle Dowdy from the Cleveland Indians organization in the Rule 5 Draft. With the selection, the Mets’ 40-man roster stands at 37, which does not include the reported signing of Jeurys Familia.

Dowdy, 26 in February, was acquired by the Indians from the Detroit Tigers at the July 31 trade deadline this past season, along with major league outfielder Leonys Martin. In 30 appearances (20 games started) between the two organizations in 2018, Dowdy posted a 5.15 ERA with 120 strikeouts and 50 walks in 124.0 innings. He was strong over the first two months of the season, holding opponents to a .678 OPS, but tailed off statistically as the season went on.

In a July scouting report from 2080 Baseball, Dowdy received the following comments:

Ceiling of low-leverage middle reliever if he takes to a ‘pen role and finds a more consistent off-speed pitch. If he can’t do those things, will be a 4A guy lacking another speed to pair with his high-velo fastball. OFP 40.

The Mets will now need to keep Dowdy on their active roster for the entirety of the 2019 season in order to inherit his rights going forward. Should they no longer wish to keep him on the major league roster, the Mets could either trade him or offer him back to the Indians for $50,000 (half of the $100,000 selecting fee). The last Rule 5 selection made by the Mets who stuck was Sean Gilmartin, who played a crucial role in the 2015 Mets bullpen.

In the minor league phase of the Draft on Thursday, the Mets selected OF Braxton Lee from the Miami Marlins, RHP Chris Mazza from the Seattle Mariners, and C Mitch Ghelfi from the Los Angeles Angels. Lee, ranked by Baseball America as Miami’s 27th-best prospect coming into last season, made it into eight major league games and was outrighted after the year concluded. Unlike players selected in the major league phase, these players are not subject to return to their original organization.