TODAY : As expected, the Mets have released Diekman, according to Mike Puma of the New York Bobby Murcer Jersey Post ( ). JULY 29 : The Mets announced Monday that theyve designated left-hander for a signment and selected the contract of fellow lefty from Triple-A Syracuse to take his spot on the roster. Diekman, a 37-year-old veteran reliever, joined the Mets on a one-year, $4MM deal back in February. In 32 innings for the Mets, Diekman has punched out nearly 28% of batters faced, though his longstanding control i sues persisted. Last year, Diekman benefitted from only 6% of his flyballs leaving the yard, a trend which has reversed in 24 as hes seen a whopping 29.2% of flies go for homers. As a result, Diekman has allowed seven home runs already this year four of which came in his last seven appearances. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza used Diekman in high leverage spots in May and June, but as youd expect, thats changed in July. Diekmans contract includes a $4MM club option for 2025 that becomes guaranteed with 58 games. The lefty currently has 43 appearances. Though someone might want to pick Diekman up, other teams desire to avoid that 25 vesting option means Diekman will likely be released by the Mets and sign a new deal. Of late, Mendoza and the Mets have been leaning on , , and in the highest-leverage relief situations. The club picked up righty late last week. Gage will join incumbent lefties and after posting a 3.42 ERA, 30 K%, and and 12.4 BB% in 26 1/3 innings for the Dodgers and Mets Triple-A affiliates. John Montefusco Jersey