A.J. Minter Exercises Player Option, Returning to Mets for 2026

Left-handed reliever A.J. Minter has exercised his player option for the 2026 season with the New York Mets, worth $11 million. Minter missed most of the 2025 season due to a torn lat muscle requiring surgery but was stellar before his injury, posting a 1.64 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 14 strikeouts in 11.0 innings over 13 appearances. He signed a two-year deal last offseason with an opt-out after the first year.