Mets call up Carl Edwards Jr., option Christian Scott in return

Carl Edwards Jr. was promoted to New York even though his work in Triple-A Syracuse came with an ugly 5.29 ERA as a starter, a decision that says more about what the Mets need right now than the surface numbers on his line. The veteran right-hander had been stretched out in Syracuse, but the move to Queens points to a different job ahead, one that likely sends him back into shorter relief work where his experience has long carried more value.

For the Mets, the switch is less about rewarding a dominant run in the International League and more about solving a short-term pitching problem. Edwards Jr. arrives as a veteran reliever, and that label matters. His promotion suggests New York is looking for an arm that can cover innings in the majors without committing to a rotation spot, especially after using him as a starter at Triple-A Syracuse.

Christian Scott went the other way, getting optioned in return. That transaction gives New York another layer of roster flexibility and keeps Scott in the mix as a depth starter who can continue to take the ball while the big club reshuffles its pitching plan. In a system built around moving pitchers between Queens and Syracuse, the decision underscores how quickly roles can change when the major league club needs immediate help.

Edwards Jr.’s path also highlights how the Mets have been managing the margins of their staff. A pitcher can post a rough ERA in Syracuse and still earn a call if the organization believes his arm, experience and immediate fit matter more than the numbers attached to his minor league starts. In this case, New York chose the veteran reliever over the starter version of the same pitcher, a sign that the majors still see him as a better fit in the bullpen than in a rotation slot.

Scott’s option leaves Syracuse with another familiar arm and gives the Mets a movable piece for the next pitching need that surfaces. Edwards Jr. heads to Queens with a new opportunity and a different role, while the club keeps its depth churn going between New York and Syracuse.