A.J. Minter DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Mets left-handed pitcher A.J. Minter (hip) faced live hitters during his bullpen session on Sunday. This was his first time throwing against live hitters since undergoing hip surgery last August. Earlier in the offseason, Minter signed a two-year contract worth $22 million with the New York Mets. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he could be cleared in time for Opening Day if he continues this current pace. Before being shut down last season, the southpaw held a 2.62 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP across 34 1/3 innings of work. He tallied 35 punchouts and added nine holds. From 2021 through 2023, Minter tallied at least 20 holds in each season operating as the set up man in Atlanta. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Minter to have a similar role in Queens, operating as the eighth inning option in front of Edwin Diaz. He should be in line to tally double-digit holds, pitching on a competing Mets roster.

New York Mets left-handed reliever A.J. Minter (hip), who is recovering from surgery on his labrum, isn't a lock to be ready for Opening Day in late March, but the Mets are optimistic he'll be with the team then. When healthy, the Mets are expecting Minter to be a key left-handed, high-leverage setup man in the late innings in front of closer Edwin Diaz after signing him to a two-year, $22 million deal last month. The 31-year-old southpaw is scheduled to throw his first bullpen of spring training later this month after he had surgery last August. He made 39 relief appearances in his eighth and final season with the Atlanta Braves in 2024 before needing surgery and was reliable with a 2.62 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, one save, 35 strikeouts and 11 walks in 34 1/3 innings. Minter might be eased in early on, but if healthy, he could be a nice source of K's and holds in fantasy leagues.

The New York Mets agreed with free-agent left-handed reliever A.J. Minter (hip) on a two-year deal worth $22 million on Friday, pending a physical. Minter was moved to the 60-day injured list in August of last year and missed the rest of the 2024 season due to a hip injury. The 31-year-old southpaw was a former second-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 out of Texas A&M and made his big-league debut with the Braves back in 2017. All eight of his major-league campaigns came in Atlanta and he's posted a 3.28 career ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 36 saves, 422 strikeouts and 123 walks in his 348 2/3 innings pitched. In New York, he'll boost the Mets' bullpen as an experienced left-handed setup arm in high-leverage positions, but he's not going to see many, if any at all, save chances as long as closer Edwin Diaz stays healthy.