New York Mets pitching depth option Justin Hagenman has finally returned to game action, beginning a rehab assignment after spending the entire 2026 regular season sidelined by a fractured rib suffered during spring training.
Hagenman made his first regular-season appearance of the year during his rehabilitation stint in St. Lucie, marking an important step in his recovery. The right-hander worked 2⅓ innings, allowing one earned run while striking out three batters. He threw 43 pitches, with 25 finding the strike zone.
Although the outing was relatively short, the most important development for the Mets was simply seeing Hagenman back on a mound and competing in a game situation after several months away.
Hagenman’s unusual path to the Mets
Hagenman’s relationship with the Mets began under somewhat unusual circumstances. Before the 2025 season, New York signed him to a major-league contract despite the fact that he had never appeared in the majors.
The move reflected the organization’s belief that his underlying numbers suggested he could contribute as a versatile bullpen piece.
His 2025 campaign produced mixed results. Hagenman finished with a 4.56 ERA, which did not immediately stand out as impressive, but several of his peripheral statistics painted a much more encouraging picture.
He recorded a 3.77 FIP, suggesting his actual performance was better than his ERA indicated. His 1.09 WHIP was also strong, particularly because he issued just two walks over 23⅔ innings.
Hagenman also averaged 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings, demonstrating that he could miss bats while limiting free passes.
A useful multi-inning option
The Mets primarily used Hagenman as a multi-inning reliever, giving the club some flexibility when it needed to bridge the gap between starters and the late-inning bullpen.
That role could once again make him valuable if he returns healthy.
His 2025 season, however, ended on a sour note. In his final appearance on September 9 against the Philadelphia Phillies, Hagenman surrendered five earned runs in three innings. The rough outing caused his ERA to jump from 3.05 to its final 4.56 mark.
He was asked to absorb a heavy workload that day, throwing 75 pitches as the Mets attempted to navigate a difficult game after Sean Manaea surrendered four runs during the opening two innings.
Despite the ugly final appearance, the broader body of work gave the Mets enough reason to remain interested in him.
Injury kept him out for most of 2026
Hagenman’s biggest obstacle this year has not been performance but health.
A fractured rib suffered during spring training kept him out for several months and prevented him from making his regular-season debut until now.
The lengthy absence means he has considerable work to do before the Mets can seriously consider using him in New York. He will likely need multiple rehab appearances to build up his pitch count, regain his command and demonstrate that his body can handle a regular workload.
His first outing represents only the beginning of that process.
The roster battle could be difficult
Even if Hagenman returns to full health, securing a spot with the Mets could prove challenging.
He turns 30 in October and has relatively limited major-league experience. His minor-league track record is also less dominant than his MLB peripherals might suggest. Across 299⅔ Triple-A innings, he has posted a 4.72 ERA.
That profile makes him more of a potential depth or innings-eating option than an obvious high-leverage reliever.
The Mets also have several younger pitchers and prospects competing for opportunities, while the organization will need to make difficult decisions about its 40-man roster.
Minor-league options could help Hagenman
One factor working in Hagenman’s favor is his remaining minor-league option flexibility.
Because his injury resulted in an extended stint on the injured list, the Mets did not have to burn one of his options while he was unavailable. That gives the organization more freedom to move him between the majors and minors without immediately exposing him to the roster crunch that affects players who have exhausted their options.
That flexibility could ultimately be one of his biggest advantages as the Mets evaluate their pitching depth.
Several other relievers have already used their final minor-league option this season, meaning Hagenman could have more roster maneuverability than some of his competition.
What role could he fill?
If Hagenman continues to progress during his rehab assignment, a return to the type of role Xzavion Curry has occupied could make sense.
Rather than immediately placing him into a high-leverage situation, the Mets could use Hagenman as a pitcher capable of covering multiple innings and protecting the bullpen when a starter exits early.
That role may not be glamorous, but it can be extremely valuable over a long season.
The Mets will also have to consider their offseason roster plans. Several pitchers on the fringes of the organization could potentially be non-tendered and then brought back on minor-league contracts, while others may have fewer roster options remaining.
That could make the competition for a 40-man roster spot particularly intense.
A strong rehab could change the equation
Hagenman therefore has a limited but potentially important opportunity in front of him.
He does not necessarily need to dominate during his rehab assignment. For a pitcher in his position, the priority is demonstrating that he is healthy, throwing strikes and capable of handling increasing workloads without setbacks.
His opening outing was encouraging enough: 2⅓ innings, one earned run, three strikeouts and 43 pitches.
If he can gradually increase his pitch count and continue producing solid results, the Mets could have another useful depth option available for the final stretch of the season.
For now, Hagenman’s return is less about immediately claiming a major-league job and more about proving that the pitcher who showed promising underlying numbers in 2025 is still there.
The bottom line: Hagenman’s rehab assignment gives the Mets another potential bullpen piece at a time when roster flexibility and pitching depth remain valuable. His combination of strikeout ability, strong walk prevention, multi-inning experience and remaining minor-league options could keep him in the organization’s plans but he will have to separate himself from a crowded group of pitchers competing for limited opportunities.
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