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Nate Lavender's journey to the major leagues has been nothing but a rollercoaster.
The left-hander was drafted by the Mets in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft and pitched his way up to Triple-A in 2023 and into the 2024 season. Although, Lavender suffered an elbow injury that required an internal brace procedure in May of 2024 as he missed the remainder of the year. He was then selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, but remained out all of the 2025 season while recovering from surgery and was eventually returned to the Mets in November 2025 after being released by the Rays.
Since back in New York's system this year, the 26-year-old has pitched in three minor league levels, including 25 appearances with Triple-A Syracuse. With all of the team's moves at the trade deadline on Monday, Lavender got the long-awaited call and met the team in Cleveland for Tuesday night's game against the Guardians.
His debut came in the seventh inning as he was thrust into a tough spot with two runners on two outs. Lavender battled against former No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana and struck him out looking to hold onto the 5-2 lead. He kept it going in the eighth inning with a quick 1-2-3 frame, giving the team what interim manager Andy Green described as much-needed energy for a group with lots of new faces in the clubhouse.
“I think what really energizes a group of guys is having a guy make a debut, come in and get a huge out in a tough situation against a very good hitter. And then go back out there and throw really well the next inning," Green said. "I thought the dugout was as alive in that Nate Lavender punch-out as it’s been in some time. And I think that really, hopefully is a catalyst for us to bring some energy with these new guys we got here.
"And we saw a bunch of guys in different roles, they were pitching in tough situations. They did a great job, so I think everyone took some juice from that.”
After waiting years, changing teams, and battling though injuries, Lavender called his debut outing an "unbelievable" experience. Overall, he tossed 1.1 scoreless innings with a strikeout and a walk.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable," Lavender said. "I think you briefly touched on it, even though you just said that, it’s been a long journey. Drafted here in ‘21, in the system, spent some time in Tampa, dealt with some injuries and stuff. All of that doesn’t matter. It’s part of the journey and it feels absolutely unbelievable, man.”
Green also highlighted Lavender's poise in the high-leverage situation, noting that the team can't afford to ease new players in and he stepped up to the challenge.
“The same heartbeat we’ve always seen from him," Green said. "I think that you, especially in relievers, have to be able to trust the heartbeat. And he was able to slow that game down. That was a big punch-out with two guys on. He just walked off the mound like he’d been doing it for a long time. I tried to tell him as quickly as possible he was going back out. There’s a lot of guys that will mentally shut down and call that a debut.
"We didn’t soft-serve him at all. I just don’t think there’s a good way to do that with the group we have right now, we got to pitch them as they are. He did a great job in a pocket he should excel in, he did.”
Green added: “No change in demeanor, completely calm, completely fine. Walked through, shook the hands with teammates. Saw him sit down on the bench and lock back in like he’s done a thousand times.”
Lavender later told reporters how his family traveled from Syracuse to Cleveland by train and made it there around 5 a.m. He thanked everyone in his life for support throughout his journey, helping him stay focused and positive at all times.
“Spending two years on the shelf is a lot of ups and downs," Lavender said. "Obviously the first Tommy John at the beginning of ‘24, nobody likes it. You rehab, you keep going, and then bang, another surgery. I was talking to my wife the other day, some of my friends too, you have to enjoy the small moments. If I can’t throw in a game, I can go attack this throwing program just exactly like I would with same mentality. Obviously my family, too. My wife, Emma, is absolutely amazing, really encouraging.
"That’s sort of how I’ve attacked the last couple of years. Now we’re here.”
The Mets will need that energy and mindset down the stretch of the 2026 season, and the lefty hopes to keep his story going by continuing to help the team any way possible.
“Just want to keep rolling, keep contributing, and keep winning ballgames, man. Let’s keep cruising.”
Continue reading...
The left-hander was drafted by the Mets in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft and pitched his way up to Triple-A in 2023 and into the 2024 season. Although, Lavender suffered an elbow injury that required an internal brace procedure in May of 2024 as he missed the remainder of the year. He was then selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, but remained out all of the 2025 season while recovering from surgery and was eventually returned to the Mets in November 2025 after being released by the Rays.
Since back in New York's system this year, the 26-year-old has pitched in three minor league levels, including 25 appearances with Triple-A Syracuse. With all of the team's moves at the trade deadline on Monday, Lavender got the long-awaited call and met the team in Cleveland for Tuesday night's game against the Guardians.
His debut came in the seventh inning as he was thrust into a tough spot with two runners on two outs. Lavender battled against former No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana and struck him out looking to hold onto the 5-2 lead. He kept it going in the eighth inning with a quick 1-2-3 frame, giving the team what interim manager Andy Green described as much-needed energy for a group with lots of new faces in the clubhouse.
“I think what really energizes a group of guys is having a guy make a debut, come in and get a huge out in a tough situation against a very good hitter. And then go back out there and throw really well the next inning," Green said. "I thought the dugout was as alive in that Nate Lavender punch-out as it’s been in some time. And I think that really, hopefully is a catalyst for us to bring some energy with these new guys we got here.
"And we saw a bunch of guys in different roles, they were pitching in tough situations. They did a great job, so I think everyone took some juice from that.”
After waiting years, changing teams, and battling though injuries, Lavender called his debut outing an "unbelievable" experience. Overall, he tossed 1.1 scoreless innings with a strikeout and a walk.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable," Lavender said. "I think you briefly touched on it, even though you just said that, it’s been a long journey. Drafted here in ‘21, in the system, spent some time in Tampa, dealt with some injuries and stuff. All of that doesn’t matter. It’s part of the journey and it feels absolutely unbelievable, man.”
Green also highlighted Lavender's poise in the high-leverage situation, noting that the team can't afford to ease new players in and he stepped up to the challenge.
“The same heartbeat we’ve always seen from him," Green said. "I think that you, especially in relievers, have to be able to trust the heartbeat. And he was able to slow that game down. That was a big punch-out with two guys on. He just walked off the mound like he’d been doing it for a long time. I tried to tell him as quickly as possible he was going back out. There’s a lot of guys that will mentally shut down and call that a debut.
"We didn’t soft-serve him at all. I just don’t think there’s a good way to do that with the group we have right now, we got to pitch them as they are. He did a great job in a pocket he should excel in, he did.”
Green added: “No change in demeanor, completely calm, completely fine. Walked through, shook the hands with teammates. Saw him sit down on the bench and lock back in like he’s done a thousand times.”
Lavender later told reporters how his family traveled from Syracuse to Cleveland by train and made it there around 5 a.m. He thanked everyone in his life for support throughout his journey, helping him stay focused and positive at all times.
“Spending two years on the shelf is a lot of ups and downs," Lavender said. "Obviously the first Tommy John at the beginning of ‘24, nobody likes it. You rehab, you keep going, and then bang, another surgery. I was talking to my wife the other day, some of my friends too, you have to enjoy the small moments. If I can’t throw in a game, I can go attack this throwing program just exactly like I would with same mentality. Obviously my family, too. My wife, Emma, is absolutely amazing, really encouraging.
"That’s sort of how I’ve attacked the last couple of years. Now we’re here.”
The Mets will need that energy and mindset down the stretch of the 2026 season, and the lefty hopes to keep his story going by continuing to help the team any way possible.
“Just want to keep rolling, keep contributing, and keep winning ballgames, man. Let’s keep cruising.”
Continue reading...
