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The Mets passed last winter on signing a top free agent starting pitcher such as Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell or Max Fried and instead thought in less risky terms.

One of those beneficiaries was Griffin Canning, coming off a rough season with the Angels, who arrived on a one-year contract worth $4.25 million.

The right-hander will take a 2.90 ERA in 12 starts into his scheduled outing against the Nationals on Tuesday at Citi Field.

Canning was asked on Sunday what it said about the organization that the big names were bypassed for pieces such as himself and Clay Holmes.

“It just shows their confidence in their ability to develop guys and they feel like they can bring them in and say the right things,” Canning said. “The organization as a whole is confident in the information they can give guys and help get them right.”

Sean Manaea and Luis Severino were two such success stories last season for the Mets.

Canning, 29, pitched to a 5.19 ERA last season with the Angels.

This year he was encouraged by the Mets pitching coaches to rely on his slider and changeup, and has followed that advice to success.

“I think I just got away from who I am as a pitcher a little bit,” Canning said. “My whole life I have been a guy who pitches backwards, so hearing that [trusting the slider and changeup] just helped reinforce who I am and gave me confidence again that this should be my game plan, this is what gives me success.”

Canning, who is living in Manhattan, said he doesn’t get recognized much away from the ballpark, but he isn’t complaining.

“New York is such a big city and everyone has got their own thing going on, and they don’t really care who is walking around,” Canning said. “But it’s cool. I love living there and I love the fans, playing in front of them has been pretty fun.”

The Mets have selected reliever Justin Garza to the major league roster and optioned lefty Brandon Waddell to Triple-A Syracuse.

Garza arrived from the Giants over the weekend in a trade for cash considerations.

He last pitched in the major leagues in 2023 for the Red Sox.