New York Mets call-up top prospect pitcher to boost bullpen

The New York Mets are calling up No. 22 prospect Jonathan Pintaro to help boost their bullpen amid a rough stretch.

May 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets logo on the sleeve of J.D. Martinez during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Bullpen help is on the way for the New York Mets.

As The Athletic's Will Sammon first reported, the Mets are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Jonathan Pintaro.

The Mets are calling up 27-year-old RHP Jonathan Pintaro, league sources said. Through 42 1/3 innings in Double A this season (he was set to pitch in Triple A this week), he had a 3.40 ERA with 57 strikeouts. He made 11 starts in the minors, but is expected to offer bullpen help.

— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) June 25, 2025

Pintaro, who is the Mets' No. 22 ranked prospect in their farm system, has made 11 starts in the minors this season. However, the expectation is that the 27-year-old is being called up to pitch out of the Mets' recently struggling bullpen.

Pintaro had a 3.40 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 57 strikeouts across 42.1 innings for Double-A Binghamton this season. Although all 11 of his appearances were starts, Pintaro typically went between 3-5 innings in each outing.

The Mets initially promoted Pintaro to Triple-A Syracuse recently, but ultimately decided he was needed at the big-league level. Pintaro will likely serve as a long reliever out of the Mets' bullpen while he is up with the major league club.

Pintaro was pitching in the Pioneer League last year before the Mets signed him. The righty posted a 2.68 ERA last season across three different Mets' minor league affiliates.

In addition to Pintaro, the Mets recalled left-hander Brandon Waddell from Triple-A Syracuse. The team also designated lefties Jose Castillo and Richard Lovelady for assignment.

The Mets are calling up Jonathan Pintaro and Brandon Waddell

Lefties Jose Castillo and Richard Lovelady have been DFA’d

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) June 25, 2025

Castillo's DFA comes as a bit of a surprise as the lefty had a 2.38 ERA and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 11.1 innings since the Mets acquired him from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Lovelady was signed to a minor league deal by the Mets on Monday. On the southpaw gave up two runs in 1.2 innings in relief in his short stint in the majors.