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The New York Mets claimed right-haneded reliever Penn Murfee off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. Murfee, 30, was put on waivers after the conclusion of the Mariners 2023 regular season as the team looked to clear space on the 40 man roster ahead of free agency.
Murfee underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2023. As a result, the expectation is the earliest he would be available to pitch for the Mets would be the end of the 2024 season. It is also possible he would not be ready until the 2025 season.
The Mets made a similar decision in 2022 when they signed John Curtiss to a Major League deal after he had been non-tendered by the Milwaukee Brewers. Curtiss had Tommy John surgery in September 2021, and the expectation was he would miss all of the 2022 season. Of note, it was now Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns who had opted to non-tender Curtiss.
In terms of the timetable of Murfee’s return, in 2014, Bobby Parnell had Tommy John surgery after blowing a save on Opening Day. He would begin his rehab assignment in April 2015, and he was recalled to the majors in June. Notably, Parnell struggled and was never able to return to form.
Of course, it needs to be noted that was a different Mets regime. Furthermore, no two rehabs are the same.
When Murfee has been healthy, he was a very good reliever for the Mariners. In his 2022 rookie campaign, he made 64 appearances pitching 69 1/3 innings. He was 4-0 with a 2.99 ERA, 0.952 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, and a 9.9 K/9.
Mets have claimed right-hander Penn Murfee off waivers from the Mariners.
The 29-year-old had a 1.29 ERA in 14 big league innings this year as a reliever.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) October 31, 2023
Murfee got off to a strong start in 2023 posting a 1.29 ERA over 16 appearances before needing to be shut down due to the UCL tear. His walks were up, but that may be due to the UCL tear. In his career, he has posted a 140 ERA+ and a 3.29 FIP.
The side-armed reliever predominantly throws a sweeper that has a 40.9 Whiff%. He will also throw a fastball in the high 80s. Ultimately, the movement is effective enough to generate weak contact and outs. He has been effective against right and left-handed hitters holding both to an OPS under .600 albeit with him issuing more walks to left-handed batters.
