Mar 13, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Bryan Hudson (78) exits the game against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Mets hadn’t even settled into the regular season before their roster took its first hit.
In the flurry of Opening Day decisions, one name quickly slipped through the cracks—and didn’t stay available for long. A pitcher New York had just acquired weeks earlier is already gone, claimed off waivers and heading back to a familiar destination.
A short-lived stint in Queens
Bryan Hudson’s time with the Mets was brief.
Acquired from the White Sox in February, the left-handed reliever was brought in as a potential depth option for the bullpen. But as the Mets finalized their roster, Hudson found himself on the outside looking in.
The decision to designate him for assignment opened the door.
And Chicago didn’t hesitate.
White Sox reclaim a familiar arm
Within a day, Hudson was back where he started.
The White Sox claimed him off waivers, reuniting with a pitcher they had just moved earlier in the offseason. It’s a quick turnaround, but not an unusual one this time of year, when roster crunches force teams into tough choices.
For the Mets, it’s a reminder of how thin the margin can be when building depth.
Spring struggles played a role
Hudson’s performance in camp didn’t help his case.
In limited action, he struggled to find consistency, allowing runs at a high rate and giving up hard contact. The sample size was small, but in a competitive bullpen race, it was enough to cost him a spot.
That opened the door for others—and ultimately led to his departure.
More roster moves follow
Hudson wasn’t the only player impacted by the Mets’ final cuts.
Catcher Ben Rortvedt and utility player Vidal Bruján both cleared waivers and were sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse. Unlike Hudson, they remain in the organization, providing depth options if injuries or performance issues arise later in the season.
That flexibility matters over a long year.
Early reminder of roster reality
These moves may seem minor, but they reflect a larger truth.
Opening Day rosters are rarely permanent. Players move quickly, roles shift, and teams constantly adjust in search of the right balance.
For the Mets, this was just the first ripple.
And it likely won’t be the last as the season begins to take shape.
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