Both players were outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.
Two veteran Mets elected free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse earlier today. Joey Lucchesi and DJ Stewart will test the free agent market after spending the past four and two years, respectively, in the Mets organization.
Lucchesi, who came to the Mets in a three-team trade with the Padres and Pirates in January 2021, made 19 starts and two relief appearances for the Mets in parts of three seasons. He missed all of the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery.
Lucchesi pitched game 162 for the Mets in 2024, eating six innings and sparing the Mets’ bullpen on a day when they couldn’t afford to empty the reserves, with the NLDS beginning the next day. Lucchesi’s signature ‘churve,’ a combination change-up/curveball, was an unique offering and a fan favorite, with teammates holding up a circle-change hand position in 2021 after hits as a celebration gesture.
Stewart, who began his career with five seasons with the Orioles, appeared in 132 games for the Mets over 2023 and 2024. His first season as a Met saw a lot of success for Stewart late in the year, good for a 129 OPS+ with 20 extra-base hits in 185 plate appearances. Stewart got more playing time in 2024, but could not replicate his earlier success, hitting .177/.325/.297 in 197 PAs with nine extra-base hits.
LHP Matt Gage was also outrighted to Triple-A.