FLUSHING, N.Y., February 6, 2024 – The New York Mets today announced the club has signed left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman to a one-year contract with a club option. In a corresponding move, RHP Austin Adams has been designated for assignment.
The 37-year-old lefty spent the 2023 season between the Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays where he combined to post a 3.34 ERA (21 ER/56.2 IP) with 38 walks and 64 strikeouts. After spending 13 games with Chicago, the southpaw posted a 2.18 ERA (11 ER/45.1 IP) in his final 50 appearances with Tampa Bay, recording 53 strikeouts, giving him a 10.5 strikeout per 9 IP ratio.
"Jake has a proven track record and has shown the ability to get batters out of from both sides of the plate," said Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns. "He gives our bullpen another option to provide key outs. In addition to his work on the field, he has shown an admirable commitment to impacting others away from the ballpark through his Gut It Out foundation."
Diekman was one of nine left-handed pitchers, along with his new staffmate Brooks Raley, to appear in 60 or more games with an ERA below 3.50 and a strikeout percentage over 25 percent last year.
The 6-4, 195-pounder has appeared in 662 major league games, compiling a 25-31 record with 15 saves, a 3.82 ERA (242 ER/570.1 IP) with 334 walks and 724 strikeouts.
In 2022, he was the Boston Red Sox nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award thanks to his efforts with his Gut It Out Foundation. Diekman, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 10, started the foundation with his wife Amanda.
The Wymore, NE native was originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 30th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of Cloud County Community College (Concordia, KS).
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