Mets Recall Ex-Red Sox Reliever After Another Starter Goes Down

Welcome back to the big leagues, Justin Garza.

The New York Mets called up the right-handed reliever Tuesday after placing Tylor Megill on the injured list with a sprained right elbow.

Garza joined the Mets organization last week after the San Francisco Giants traded him to New York. He made three appearances, not allowing a run over 3 2/3 innings pitched, but was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. Megill’s injury opened the door for Garza to return to the big leagues.

The 31-year-old Garza spent the 2023 season with the Red Sox after Boston claimed him off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Garza struggled with the Red Sox, posting a 7.36 ERA in 17 relief appearances. He left the club as a free agent following the 2023 season and signed with the Giants.

As for Megill, an MRI showed no structural damage and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said the right-hander will miss four to five weeks, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.

“Considering all things elbow related, I would say this is probably the best outcome that could happen from something like this,” Megill said, per DiComo. “Obviously, I wanted to be healthy, make every start that I can and go out and perform. I’m just going to take time, get healthy and reassess here in a week and a half.”

Megill landed on the injured list one week after Mets ace Kodai Senga went down with a hamstring strain, which could sideline him until the MLB All-Star break. Senga leads the majors with a 1.47 ERA.