PHOENIX — Huascar Brazoban never got the “reset” of which he was recently deemed worthy, but said Tuesday before the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks he’s in a better place emotionally than previously.
The reliever was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse over the weekend only to return to the roster — without actually leaving the team — when Paul Blackburn was placed on the injured list.
Brazoban’s body language had been an issue, especially in his Thursday appearance against the Padres in which he struggled through the ninth inning.
Manager Carlos Mendoza had indicated a reset in the minors might help Brazoban.
“Whatever happened has already happened and now this is a new beginning,” Brazoban said through an interpreter before Tuesday’s game at Chase Field.
Brazoban said he’s spoken extensively with bullpen coach Jose Rosado about improving his body language and keeping emotions in check.
The right-hander allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning of Thursday’s 8-3 Mets victory.
“I was disappointed with my performance after [Thursday’s] game,” Brazoban said. “The team played great, but when they brought me in … I was just frustrated with my own results.”
Brazoban, who did not pitch in the Mets’ win, has pitched to a 6.30 ERA in nine appearances since arriving from the Marlins at the trade deadline.
Delivering insights on all things Amazin’s
Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+
Thank you
“We are going to need him here now,” Mendoza said. “And he will get big outs for us.”
The fact Brazoban was told he was headed to Syracuse might have been enough to convince him change was needed.
“Sometimes the threat of going down will be enough to incentivize you that, ‘OK, I need to clean this up,’ ” pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said.
J.D. Martinez is on call to leave the team for the birth of his first child, a daughter.
The baby’s due date is Sept. 5 (an off-day on the schedule).
The Mets play the Red Sox and Reds on their next homestand.
David Peterson will start Thursday against the D’backs on normal rest and a starting pitcher — still unofficially Tylor Megill — will be promoted to pitch against the White Sox a day later.
After Blackburn was placed on the IL last weekend with a contusion on his right hand, Mendoza had the option of moving up Peterson in the rotation to face the stronger opponent, the D’backs.
The White Sox have been a disaster of epic proportions this season.
Mendoza also indicated he prefers to throw a left-hander against the D’backs.
“It’s a combination of everything,” Mendoza said.
