New York Mets Reclaim Reliever After Trading Him To Minnesota Twins

The New York Mets and the Minnesota Twins seem to have unintentionally created a time-share with a reliever who is now headed back to Queens.

Apr 1, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Michael Tonkin. / John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

If the New York Mets were sad to see reliever Michael Tonkin go a couple of weeks ago, well they have now turned that frown upside-down.

On Wednesday the Mets announced that they claimed Tonkin off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, bringing the right-hander back home.

This came after New York designated Tonkin for assignment on April 5 and then flipped him to the Twins for cash four days later.

Tonkin barely had time to settle in with Minnesota, as the Twins designated him for assignment four days after the deal.

Minnesota also happens to be where Tonkin started his professional career as a 30th-round pick in 2008.

Tonkin has appeared in four games this season, with an 0-2 record and a 6.00 ERA. He’s thrown six innings with eight strikeouts and three walks.

Curiously, the 34-year-old Glendale, Calif., native has made three appearances in April — two with the Mets and one with the Twins — and all against the Detroit Tigers.

Tonkin has played seven years in the Majors, with a long gap from 2018-21 where he didn’t play because he was playing in Japan, Mexico and the Independent League. He had his best season in 2023 with Atlanta, where he went 7-3 with a 4.28 ERA in 45 games.

New York signed Tonkin to a free-agent deal in December. He is 10-8 lifetime with a 4.42 ERA in 190 career appearances.

To make room, the Mets designated left-handed pitcher Tyler Jay for assignment. Jay was the No. 6 overall pick in 2015 by Minnesota. Jay made his MLB debut with New York and pitched in two games with the Mets, throwing four innings with a 2.25 ERA. New York signed him to a minor-league deal last September.