Overview
- Nate Lavender cleared waivers and was returned to the Mets by Tampa Bay under Rule 5 provisions, so he re-joins the organization without a 40-man roster spot.
- Lavender did not pitch at any level in 2025 and was designated for assignment when the Rays had to reinstate players from the 60-day injured list.
- The 25-year-old underwent an internal brace procedure in May 2024, and Newsweek reports he also had bone spurs removed from his left elbow in August.
- While on the Rays’ major-league injured list this year, Lavender accrued a full year of MLB service time and received the $760,000 league minimum salary.
- Reporting indicates the Mets will evaluate him in the spring, with a likely Triple-A Syracuse assignment or a non-roster invitation to big league camp depending on health.