Mets sign rehabbing reliever John Curtiss 

WASHINGTON -- The Mets made a move with long-term intentions on Wednesday, signing reliever John Curtiss to a Major League contract with a team option for 2023. Curtiss, who underwent Tommy John surgery last September, will miss the entire 2022 season. But he could impact the club next summer if the Mets decide to keep him.

Curtiss will make $770,000 to rehab this season, a source confirmed. If the Mets pick up his ’23 option, he’ll earn another $775,000. At that point, Curtiss would have four years of Major League service time and would be arbitration-eligible for two additional seasons, before qualifying for free agency following the 2025 campaign.

The Mets immediately placed Curtiss on the 60-day injured list upon signing him, so he will not take up a 40-man roster spot.

It is a low-risk gamble on a pitcher who broke out in 2020 under the tutelage of Rays instructors. Curtiss posted a 1.80 ERA in 17 appearances that season, serving as an opener three times. He followed it up with a 3.45 ERA in 41 appearances for the Marlins and Brewers last year, until he tore the UCL in his pitching elbow in August. The Brewers subsequently chose to non-tender him rather than pay him to rehab.

Now, the Mets will pay Curtiss to do precisely that, in the hopes of him becoming a useful piece for them in 2023.

“He’s got pretty good tools -- the ability to command the strike zone, miss bats,” general manager Billy Eppler said. “We figured it was a good play for us, just another upside play that we have the ability to execute.”

Talk to you in November
Outfielder Brandon Nimmo said the Mets never approached him this spring about a potential contract extension. Nimmo, who can become a free agent for the first time after the season, said he’s at peace with the notion of waiting until after the World Series.

“I can’t really offer to myself,” said Nimmo, who recently hired Scott Boras as his agent. “I’ve expressed my interest in staying here, but nothing’s come my way.”

Nimmo has stabilized the leadoff position in the Mets’ batting order with a .398 on-base percentage the past four seasons, but he’s also struggled to stay healthy, playing in just 216 games over the last three. Mostly, it’s been freak injuries that have sidelined Nimmo, including a bulging cervical disc that cost him more than half of the 2019 season. In recent days, Nimmo has battled neck stiffness, which could cost him an Opening Day start.

Those health issues have given Mets officials little incentive to negotiate with Nimmo until they see how he fares in 2022.

“It kind of solidifies that they want to wait and see, and that’s fine by me,” Nimmo said of the lack of communication. “I try not to look at it from a disappointment [standpoint]. In fact, the fact that everyone is asking me and we’re even having this conversation is a good thing to me.”

Team bonding
Upon landing in Washington on Tuesday evening, new third baseman Eduardo Escobar invited the entire team, including staffers, to Fogo de Chão -- his favorite chain restaurant -- for an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steak bonanza. Approximately 70 players and staffers attended.

It was the second team bonding activity of the week for the Mets. Last Saturday, Max Scherzer rented out a mini golf course in Port St. Lucie, Fla., so that players could play putt-putt and watch the Final Four together.

New blue
Francisco Lindor showed up to Wednesday’s team workout featuring newly dyed bright blue hair. Lindor says he favors the color because when it fades, it turns a fashionable shade of gray.