Nate Lavender - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Carson Benge hits a two-run homer to help the surging Mets past the Padres, 4-2

Carson Benge hitting a two-run homer to conclude an impressive series, helping the New York Mets beat the San Diego Padres 4-2 on Wednesday

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Piling up holds Lavender recorded a hold in Monday's win over the Padres, retiring both batters he faced.

Impact The rookie picked up the final two outs of the eighth inning, getting Jackson Merrill to fly out and Luis Campusano to pop out. Lavender is quickly establishing himself as the top lefty in the Mets' bullpen following the trades of A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley -- through his first six big-league appearances since being promoted in early August, Lavender has five holds and has yet to allow a run with a 0.56 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB in 5.1 innings.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Benge and Ewing nail the Padres at home plate as the Mets hang on for a 2-1 victory

Right fielder Carson Benge threw out two San Diego Padres runners at home plate on consecutive plays in the first inning, fellow rookie A

4 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Picks up hold in MLB debut Lavender walked one and struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings Tuesday to record his first career hold in a win over the Guardians.

Impact Making his big-league debut, the 26-year-old southpaw got the final out of the seventh inning with the Mets leading 5-2, then stayed in for the eighth after his team produced an insurance run. Lavender could get a long look as a high-leverage option with New York having dealt veteran southpaw A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley at the trade deadline, with fellow rookie Jefry Yan being his main competition for the job of top left-handed setup man for closer Devin Williams.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Torrens hits 3-run homer and drives in 4 to lead Mets past Guardians 6-2

Luis Torrens had three hits — including a three-run homer in the second inning — and drove in four runs as the New York Mets defeated the Cleveland Guardians 6-2 to snap a three-ga...

AUGUST 5 • Associated Press

Added to roster The Mets selected Lavender's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Impact Lavender missed all of 2025 and most of 2024 due to a pair of left elbow surgeries, but he's looked sharp in the minors this season, turning in a 3.27 ERA and 53:11 K:BB over 33 innings with Syracuse. The southpaw will be making his major-league debut when/if he enters a game.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy again after elbow surgeries Lavender (elbow) has posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB in eight innings over eight relief appearances for Triple-A Syracuse since being reinstated from the 7-day injured l...

Impact Lavender didn't pitch at all during the 2025 season while completing his recovery from a May 2024 internal brace surgery and then another procedure this past summer to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. The 26-year-old was brought along slowly in spring training and opened the season on the shelf for Syracuse, but he was cleared to make his 2026 debut for the affiliate after completing a nine-appearance rehab assignment between Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn.

JUNE 1 • ROTOWIRE

Returned to Mets Lavender (elbow) cleared outright waivers Wednesday and was returned to the Mets.

Impact The Rays acquired Lavender via the Rule 5 Draft last winter, so now that he's been outrighted off the Rays' 40-man roster, he'll return to the Mets' farm system. The 25-year-old lefty missed all of last season while recovering from an internal brace procedure, and he underwent another surgery in August to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. His availability for spring training remains unclear.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tampa Bay Rays to return to Tropicana Field in 2026 after hurricane repairs

The Tampa Bay Rays will return to an updated Tropicana Field for the 2026 season

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • Associated Press

DFA'd by Rays The Rays activated Lavender (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment.

Impact Lavender underwent surgery in late August or early September to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. It's possible he'll be available for the start of spring training. However, he'll be exposed to waivers after Thursday's move. Lavender, who turns 25 in January, has yet to make his MLB debut.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Shuttered for season The Rays announced Tuesday that Lavender is scheduled to have surgery in the near future to remove a bone spur in his left elbow and will miss the remainder of the season, Marc Top...

Impact A Rule 5 selection over the winter, Lavender has resided on the Rays' injured list all season while on the mend from a May 2024 internal brace procedure on his elbow. Lavender was expected to be healthy enough to pitch during the second half of the season, but after developing the bone spur at some point in the ramp-up process, he never advanced to a minor-league rehab assignment. On a positive note, Lavender doesn't appear to be dealing with any new ligament damage to his surgically repaired elbow, so the procedure to address the bone spur may not affect his availability for the start of spring training.

AUGUST 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Begins mound work Lavender (elbow) is scheduled to throw his first true bullpen session of the season Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Working his way back from the internal brace procedure he underwent on his left elbow last May, Lavender said he had felt "unreal" during his recent throwing sessions before he completed what he described as a "short" bullpen session last weekend. The southpaw is now in line to throw a more traditional side session Tuesday, and he'll likely steadily increase the volume and intensity of his throwing in the weeks to come. Lavender will eventually advance to facing hitters in live batting practice and simulated games before heading out on an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The Rule 5 selection could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list and make his MLB debut with the Rays at some point in June or July.

MAY 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 60-day IL The Rays placed Lavender on the 60-day injured list Wednesday with a left elbow injury, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sunreports.

Impact The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Mason Englert, who was acquired via trade. Lavender was a Rule 5 pick this offseason and is likely to be out until around midseason while recovering from an internal brace procedure.

FEBRUARY 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Taken in Rule 5 draft The Rays selected Lavender with the eighth pick in the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports.

Impact The Rays lost righty reliever Evan Reifert to the Nationals earlier in the Rule 5 draft, and they responded by poaching lefty reliever Lavender from the Mets. Lavender had the internal brace procedure in May of 2024, and the Rays will likely maximize his recovery and rehab time before activating him from the injured list sometime this summer. He's heading into his age-25 season and has a career 3.35 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 76:30 K:BB in 51 innings (40 appearances) at Triple-A.

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Carson Benge hits a two-run homer to help the surging Mets past the Padres, 4-2

Benge and Ewing nail the Padres at home plate as the Mets hang on for a 2-1 victory

Luis Torrens hits 3-run homer and drives in 4 to lead Mets past Guardians 6-2

Tampa Bay Rays to return to Tropicana Field in 2026 after hurricane repairs