Deal Strike: But Why: According to Jon Heyman, the New York Mets have voided A.J. Minter’s $22 million deal, despite previously claiming it had been finalized.

Mets sign A.J. Minter: Former Braves reliever joins New York bullpen on a reported $22 million deal.

The New York Mets have agreed to a deal with free-agent left-handed reliever A.J. Minter, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The two-year contract is worth $22 million, with an opt-out clause allowing Minter to return to free agency after the first season if he chooses.

Minter, 31, has posted a 3.28 ERA (131 ERA+) and a 3.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio across nearly 400 MLB appearances, all with the Atlanta Braves. He missed the latter part of last season, not pitching after August 11 due to hip surgery.

Despite the injury, CBS Sports ranked Minter as the No. 48 free agent this offseason. Their analysis noted:

“This ranking may undervalue Minter slightly given his strong track record as a high-leverage lefty, but it reflects concerns about how teams might view his season-ending hip surgery. While he remained effective when healthy, his velocity and both strikeout and home-run rates dipped to career lows. These declines can reasonably be attributed to his injury, but there’s also a chance he may not fully regain his peak form.”

Minter will bolster a Mets bullpen that already includes closer Edwin Díaz, José Buttó, Reed Garrett, and Dedniel Núñez. The Mets had previously been linked to other left-handers, such as Tanner Scott and former Yankees reliever Tim Hill, though it’s unclear if Minter’s signing will alter their pursuit of additional arms.

This move marks the Mets’ second free-agent acquisition in as many days, following their one-year deal with outfielder Jesse Winker on Wednesday.