Mets Acquire Drew Romo, Release Brandon Waddell

The New York Mets have made significant roster changes by claiming catcher Drew Romo from the Baltimore Orioles. In a corresponding move, they have designated left-hander Brandon Waddell for assignment. This decision comes after the Orioles designated Romo for assignment last week.

Mets Acquire Drew Romo

Drew Romo, 24, was the 35th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies. He was previously rated among the top 100 prospects in Major League Baseball, as well as one of the Rockies’ standout players. Known for his defensive skills and impressive arm strength, Romo has struggled offensively in recent seasons.

Offensive Struggles

• In 2023, Romo played mainly at High-A and Double-A, experiencing a decline in performance.
• His strikeout rate increased significantly from 17.8% in 2024 to 25.8% in 2025.
• In 56 plate appearances in the majors, he recorded just a .167 batting average with a concerning 37.5% strikeout rate.
• During his time in Triple-A, Romo had a decent slash line of .286/.337/.466, primarily boosted by his performance in 2024.
• In 2025, his numbers dropped to .264/.329/.409, making him 25% less effective than a league-average hitter.

Despite his offensive challenges, Romo has two minor league options remaining, providing the Mets with depth behind the plate. Francisco Alvarez is expected to remain the starting catcher, while Luis Torrens will serve as his backup.

Brandon Waddell Designated for Assignment

Brandon Waddell, at 31 years of age, pitched for the Mets during the 2025 season, recording a 3.45 ERA over 31.1 innings pitched. This marked his return to Major League Baseball after a three-year stint with the Doosan Bears in the Korea Baseball Organization, where he performed admirably.

Waddell’s Performance Metrics

• Poor strikeout rate of 16.4% and a walk rate of 8.2%.
• High strand rate of 82% and a .260 BABIP contributed to a misleadingly solid ERA.
• Metrics like SIERA (4.64) and FIP (4.54) indicate underlying performance issues.

Waddell has been out of minor league options and will either be traded to another team or placed on outright waivers within the next five days.

The Mets are aiming to bolster their roster for the upcoming season, and acquiring Drew Romo while releasing Brandon Waddell reflects their current strategy and future plans.