PORT ST. LUCIE — When last seen last season, Dedniel Núñez was an important piece of the Mets bullpen.
On Monday, the right-hander returned to game action for the first time since August, firing a scoreless inning in a 2-0 exhibition loss to the Rays at Clover Park.
Núñez was held back in the Grapefruit League season so he could save bullets for games that count.
Last season, Núñez was shut down by forearm tightness that limited him to only one appearance after July 23.
“I felt great today,” Núñez said through an interpreter. “I felt healthy. I just want to make sure that I continue to feel strong and healthy as I prepare for Opening Day.”
Núñez wasn’t on the radar as last spring began, but was sharp early in the season for Triple-A Syracuse and received his opportunity with the Mets, arriving to stay on April 27.
In 25 appearances, he pitched to a 2.31 ERA with 48 strikeouts and eight walks in 35 innings.
“We’re talking about a guy that wasn’t even in big league camp for us at the beginning of the year,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And he comes in and before you know it he’s throwing high-leverage [innings] for us. We felt it when he went down and we were missing that piece from our bullpen because he took a step forward and that is why keeping this guy healthy is important, especially this guy, because he is a big part of that bullpen.”
Núñez watched the Mets postseason run wondering how he might have helped if healthy.
The Mets reached Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers before their season ended.
“It was a frustrating situation and I thought there were opportunities there that I could have helped contribute to the team’s success,” Núñez said. “But God has a plan for everything and I am just happy to be back.”
There was initially concern when Núñez was sidelined last season that he might need Tommy John surgery — he had previously undergone the procedure — but he returned to health through rest.
Even so, Mendoza expects to be conservative in his usage of Núñez, limiting him to one-inning appearances and avoiding back-to-back outings.
Last season Núñez had 13 appearances that extended beyond one inning.
Three times he pitched on back-to-back days.
“The goal here is we need to have this guy healthy for the whole year,” Mendoza said. “With his past injuries and everything he’s gone through in his career, we have got to take care of him.”
On this day, Núñez topped out at 98 mph with his four-seam fastball.
He threw 11 pitches, six of which were sliders.
“The same guy we saw last year when he was healthy, so another good sign there,” Mendoza said.
Núñez indicated his readiness to start the season won’t be predicated upon a number of appearances before the Mets break camp next Monday as much as how he feels.
If he’s deemed ready, Núñez will join Reed Garrett, Ryne Stanek and A.J. Minter as a high-leverage option leading into Edwin Díaz.
The lefty Minter is returning from hip surgery, but trending toward inclusion on the Opening Day roster.
“We have got a few options and that is what makes our group as part of the strength of our team,” Mendoza said. “We have just got to keep them healthy.”
