SAN DIEGO — Huascar Brazoban’s live arm is still intriguing to the Mets, but the right-hander’s reaction to failure has set off a few alarms within the organization.
“He’s probably taking it too hard on himself, especially after a bad outing,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday after Brazoban was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse and Dedniel Nunez was activated from the injured list.
Brazoban struggled in his appearance Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning after entering with a seven-run lead against the Padres.
It was the third time in four appearances Brazoban was scored upon, but Mendoza said that wasn’t the only factor in the decision to demote him.
“It was how hard he took it,” Mendoza said. “So I think it’s more of a reset for him because stuff-wise, he is really good.”
Brazoban, who arrived from the Marlins at the trade deadline, has pitched to a 6.30 ERA in nine appearances with the Mets.
Among Mets relievers, only Brazoban, Reed Garrett and Danny Young have minor league options remaining.
The right-hander Nunez missed the last 3 ½ weeks with a strained pronator in his right arm.
Nunez appeared in one minor league rehab game, on Tuesday with Syracuse.
Nunez has been among the Mets’ most effective relievers this season, giving the team a boost in high-leverage situations.
He entered Friday with a 2.43 ERA in 24 appearances with the team.
Mendoza’s rotating outfield evidently won’t exclude Brandon Nimmo from receiving an occasional game on the bench.
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Nimmo was absent from Friday’s lineup as Mendoza deployed Jeff McNeil in left field with Harrison Bader in center and Starling Marte in right.
Nimmo has slumped in August with a .668 OPS, but appeared on the right track last weekend when he hit two homers in three games against the Marlins.
But on Sunday, Nimmo jammed his right shoulder diving for a ball in left field, and he entered Friday only 2-for-12 over the three games since returning.
Entering Friday, Mets starting pitchers had posted a 3.23 ERA with 37 strikeouts and nine walks over their prior six starts. Four of those appearances were considered quality starts.