Mets Claim Peyton Battenfield

The Guardians announced that right-hander Peyton Battenfield has been claimed off waivers by the Mets.  Battenfield was designated for assignment earlier this week as part of Cleveland’s roster-clearing moves for waiver claims Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore.

Perhaps something of an overlooked arm within a Cleveland system deep in pitching prospects, Battenfield made his Major League debut this season, called into action to help eat innings amidst some injuries within the Guardians’ rotation.  The results weren’t great, as Battenfield posted a 5.19 ERA, 18.5% strikeout rate, and 8.2% walk rate over 34 2/3 innings (starting six of his seven games).  The righty was then injured himself, as shoulder inflammation sent Battenfield to the 60-day IL from mid-May until the start of August, when he was activated and then optioned back to Triple-A Columbus.

A ninth-round pick for the Astros in the 2019 draft, Battenfield was dealt to the Rays during the 2019-20 offseason before heading to Cleveland in the 2021 deadline deal that sent Jordan Luplow and DJ Johnston to Tampa.  He’ll now find himself on the move again to a Mets team that might have some competition for a rotation job next spring, given how only Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana look like sure bets to be part of the starting five.  At worst, Battenfield looks he can be a depth option for New York, and might have some further upside considering that he is just a year removed from a solid performance with Columbus in 2022.