PORT ST. LUCIE — Bryan Hudson fills a need for the Mets and will have a legitimate opportunity this spring to show he’s worthy of opening the season with the club.
The lefty reliever, acquired this week from the White Sox for cash considerations, threw his first bullpen session for the Mets on Thursday and left an immediate impression on manager Carlos Mendoza.
“The one thing that stuck out to me was the intensity,” Mendoza said. “For him to be like 92 [mph], that’s not normal, in a good way. This is a guy that is always tinkering with mechanics, and today he got behind the baseball pretty good.”
The Mets have a need for a second lefty reliever behind Brooks Raley, with A.J. Minter expected to continue his rehab from lat surgery into May.
Hudson pitched to a 4.80 ERA in 16 appearances last season between the Brewers and White Sox.
He posted a 1.73 ERA in 43 appearances for the Brewers the previous year.
“He’s had some ups and downs, but we still feel like he can help us,” Mendoza said.
