Mets Claim Mariners Reliever off Waivers

After waiving a half-dozen players earlier this month, the New York Mets made a waiver claim of their own, claiming right-handed pitcher Penn Murfee off waivers from the Seattle Mariners, reports MLB.com.

Murfee has been in the Mariners’ bullpen each of the last two seasons, with 64 appearances in 2022 and 16 more in 2023. He has a 5-2 record and a 2.70 ERA in 83.1 career innings, with 92 strikeouts and 28 walks with a 0.97 WHIP.

He was a 33rd round pick of the Mariners in 2018 and worked his way through their system. He played his college baseball at Santa Clara.

Murfee had a truncated 2023. He went on the injured list in May with right elbow inflammation and returned to the roster in June. He went back on the injured list three days after returning with the same injury and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 5, effectively ending his season.

His last appearance for the Mariners was June 11 against the Los Angeles Angels.

The Mets are in flux after parting ways with manager Buck Showalter, seeing general manager Bill Eppler resign and hiring David Stearns to be the team’s president of baseball operations.

As part of the changes, the Mets waived a half-dozen players earlier this month. Two of them — pitchers Vinny Nittoli and Anthony Kay — both ended up with the Oakland Athletics.

The other four cleared waivers and opted for free agency. The incluced catcher Michael Pérez, outfielder Rafael Ortega, infielder Jonathan Araúz and infielder Danny Mendick.