PHOENIX – Huascar Brazoban never got the “fresh start” he was recently deemed worthy of, but said Tuesday before the Mets’ 8-3 victory over the Diamondbacks that he was feeling better emotionally than before.
The reliever was sent to Triple-A Syracuse over the weekend, but returned to the roster – without actually leaving the team – when Paul Blackburn was placed on the injured list.
Brazoban’s body language had been a problem, especially in his appearance on Thursday against the Padres, where he struggled through the ninth inning.
Manager Carlos Mendoza had hinted that a fresh start in the minors could help Brazoban.
“Whatever happened has already happened and now this is a new beginning,” Brazoban said through an interpreter before Tuesday’s game at Chase Field.
Brazoban said he spoke at length with bullpen coach Jose Rosado about how to improve his body language and keep his emotions under control.
The right-hander allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 8-3 win on Thursday.
“I was disappointed with my performance after the game (on Thursday),” Brazoban said. “The team played great, but when they brought me in … I was just frustrated with my own results.”
Brazoban, who did not pitch in the Mets’ win, has a 6.30 ERA in nine appearances since being traded from the Marlins shortly before the trade deadline.
“We’re going to need him here now,” Mendoza said. “And he’s going to get big outs for us.”
The fact that Brazoban was told he was on his way to Syracuse may have been enough to convince him that a change was needed.
“Sometimes the threat of going under is enough of an incentive to think, ‘OK, I have to fix this,'” said pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
JD Martinez is on call to leave the team for the birth of his first child, a daughter.
The baby’s due date is September 5th (a free day in the schedule).
In their next home game, the Mets will play against the Red Sox and Reds.
David Peterson will face the D’backs on Thursday with normal rest, and a starting pitcher – unofficially still Tylor Megill – will be promoted to pitch against the White Sox a day later.
After Blackburn was placed on the injured list last weekend with a bruised right hand, Mendoza had the opportunity to move Peterson up in the rotation to face the stronger opponent, the D’backs.
The White Sox have been a disaster of epic proportions this season.
Mendoza also made it clear that he prefers to use a left-handed hitter against the D’backs.
“It’s a combination of everything,” Mendoza said.
