The Mets reinstated Justin Hagenman from the 60-day injured list on September 2, 2026, and expected the right-hander to start Wednesday against the Rays. The move also cleared the team’s last open 40-man roster spot, while Dylan Ross was sent back to Triple-A Syracuse to make room.
Hagenman had been unavailable since spring 2026, when he fractured a rib. He began a rehab assignment in mid-August and was back up to 64 pitches over four innings in his most recent outing for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday before the move. That was the final step before the Mets were comfortable bringing him back into the rotation.
What Hagenman brings back
The 29-year-old joined the Mets on a minor league deal heading into last season and spent most of the year with Syracuse before making his MLB debut in April. Across Triple-A this year, he posted a 5.58 ERA in 23 2/3 innings over nine appearances, including one start. Even so, the Mets have clearly seen enough progress in the rehab process to give him another look in a starting role.
That start also comes with a bit of timing help for the team. Since the Mets had no game the following day, bringing Hagenman back now gives the rotation an extra day of rest while keeping the schedule manageable around his return.
Why this matters
Roster moves like this often look routine, but this one mattered for a few reasons. It finalized the Mets’ 40-man roster fill, restored a starter who had been sidelined for more than four months, and created a straightforward answer for Wednesday’s game against the Rays.
Hagenman’s return gives the Mets another option to evaluate at the major league level, and the fact that he reached four innings in rehab suggests the club is at least willing to see where the next step goes. For now, the focus is simple: he is back on the active roster, and he is expected to take the ball against Tampa Bay.
