The New York Mets appear to have adjusted their approach with Huascar Brazoban—and the change is already paying off.
Coming into the 2026 season, Brazoban’s role was uncertain, and he wasn’t even guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster. However, after a steady spring, he made the team and has since delivered strong results, allowing no earned runs across seven appearances while giving up minimal hits.
A key factor in his success seems to be the Mets moving away from their earlier plan to use him as a long reliever. Last season, the team experimented with extending his outings in the minors, a decision that puzzled many given his struggles. Now, they’ve shifted to shorter appearances that better suit his strengths, particularly his effective sinker.
Aside from one extended outing during a lopsided loss—caused by Kodai Senga exiting early—Brazoban has mostly been used in brief stints, typically under two innings. This more focused role has helped him thrive.
Manager Carlos Mendoza seems to have found the right formula. Meanwhile, other pitchers like Tobias Myers and Sean Manaea are handling longer relief duties, giving the bullpen better balance.
Looking ahead, Brazoban’s exact role later in the season remains uncertain. His place in high-leverage situations could depend on the performance of pitchers like Luke Weaver and Devin Williams. Still, the Mets now seem to understand how to best utilize Brazoban—putting him in a position to succeed after some earlier missteps.
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