FLUSHING, N.Y., August 20, 2021 – The New York Mets today announced the club has claimed RHP Heath Hembree off waivers from Cincinnati. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Jacob deGrom has been transferred to the 60-Day Injured List. DeGrom is eligible to return from the IL on September 13 and his status and timeline remain unchanged.

Hembree, 32, is 2-7 with a 6.38 ERA (30 earned runs/42.1 innings) and eight saves in 45 games this season with Cincinnati. He has racked up 68 strikeouts in 42.1 innings, good for a 14.46 K/9 ratio that ranks sixth among all relievers. He was designated for assignment by the Reds on August 17.

The 6-4, 220-pounder is a nine-year major league veteran and has appeared in 316 career games, all in relief. He owns a lifetime 18-12 record with a 4.23 ERA and has pitched in the majors for San Francisco (2013), Boston (2014-2020) and Philadelphia (2020) in addition to Cincinnati this season.