​Dedniel Núñez is inching closer to a return for the Mets as he progresses through his rehab. His rehabilitation stint was recently shifted to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, marking another step forward in his road back to the major leagues. This move followed back-to-back scoreless outings at Double-A Binghamton, signaling that he is regaining his rhythm on the mound. Nevertheless, Núñez likely still has a few more boxes to tick before he can rejoin the Mets’ bullpen at the highest level, as his velocity has been a notch or two below his typical readings in the early stages of his stint.
Núñez has not pitched in the majors since July 2025. He opened the month on the injured list due to a right elbow sprain and ultimately required a second Tommy John surgery in his career. At that point, Núñez was in the midst of a roller-coaster season on the mound, showing flashes of promise but also enduring some inconsistent results. The previous season, however, had showcased his potential as a trusted arm out of New York’s bullpen, giving the Mets a glimpse of the upside that made him a valuable asset when he was at his best.
When Núñez found success at Triple-A, he began to lay a solid foundation for a potential late-season return. He posted a 2.31 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP across 25 appearances for the affiliate before receiving a call to the majors, and those strong numbers hinted at what he could contribute if he could recapture his form. If the Mets can coax that former version of the 30-year-old back down the stretch, it would provide a meaningful boost as the team navigates the final stretch of the season.
The timing of Núñez’s rehabilitation could be particularly advantageous for the Mets, who may consider moving some of their high-leverage relievers ahead of the trade deadline. In such a scenario, having a healthy, effective Núñez available could give the Mets additional bullpen depth and options in high-leverage situations as they push toward postseason positioning or evaluate potential acquisitions. The challenge remains for Núñez to regain the velocity and confidence that characterized his earlier success and to smoothly translate his Triple-A performance into impactful big-league relief appearances.
For Mets fans, the latest update offers cautious optimism. The path back to the major leagues is seldom linear, and Núñez’s road has been complicated by injury and the rigors of returning from surgery. Still, the progress at Syracuse, the demonstrated effectiveness at the Double-A level, and a potentially accelerated timeline if he continues to trend positively all point toward a favorable trajectory. If Núñez can sustain his production and gradually restore velocity, the Mets could soon welcome a veteran right-hander back into a bullpen that has looked for stability in recent periods.
In sum, Dedniel Núñez’s transition to Triple-A Syracuse represents a meaningful milestone in his recovery and a hopeful indication that he is a step closer to rejoining New York’s major-league staff. While there are still hurdles to clear and performance metrics to meet, the recent two-scoreless outings at Binghamton, combined with the ongoing rehab at the highest minor-league level, lay a foundation for a potential late-season return that could bolster the Mets’ bullpen depth and provide a veteran presence as the team navigates the final phases of the season.