Overview
- Speaking on his Baseball & Coffee show, Ottavino called Mendoza’s deployment of relievers “haphazard” and linked it to a rash of injuries he labeled “embarrassing” and “pathetic.”
- He cited the Mets’ 2025 toll, including multiple UCL tears and other season-ending injuries, as the club used an MLB-record 46 pitchers.
- Ottavino said Mendoza is steady in games under pressure but lacks communication and bedside manner in safeguarding bullpen arms.
- Urging pitchers to advocate for their health, he warned the team would be “F---E-D” if similar injury levels continue and lamented that no one confronted Mendoza.
- His comments publicly contradict Stearns’ recent defense of the organization’s medical and workload protocols, and no new response from Mendoza or policy changes were reported.