Mets call up pitcher known for his over the top strikeout celebrations as dismal season hits new level
The New York Mets very comfortably occupy the basement of the National League East and are set to miss the postseason for the second consecutive year. A franchise living in that reality making a roster move would not garner any attention, but when that move involves a guy who does the splits after striking out hitters, an exception is made.
The Mets selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Jefry Yan on July 2, and hours after the MLB trade deadline officially passed on Aug. 3, Yan was among a handful of pitchers reportedly promoted.
Mets fans have nothing to look forward to in the immediate term, but watching Yan potentially make his debut in The Show may as well be appointment viewing.
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Beyond the 29-year-old's impressive numbers at both the AA and AAA levels in 2026, Yan puts on a show, in the most literal way, every time he takes the bump.
Jumping into the air, doing the splits, screaming at the top of his lungs, smacking the ground. You name it, Yan does it.
While his antics look like something straight out of a Savannah Bananas game, the dude can throw a baseball.
After bouncing around the Minor League systems of the Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, and Colorado Rockies early in his career, Yan inked a deal with the Mets in August 2025, and 2026 has been a mighty kind year for the Dominican native.
In 26.2 innings of work with AA Binghamton, Yan posted a 3.71 ERA while striking out 45 batters. After taking the step up to AAA Syracuse, his stuff only got better.
In his 15.0 innings with Syracuse, Yan owns a record of 2-1, an ERA of 2.40 while giving up just six hits and striking out 32.
Do the jokes write themselves given that Yan plays for the punching bag of Major League Baseball? Yes. Will the Mets get clowned on social media when Yan gives up a home run or struggles after doing a Michael Jackson stunt on the mound? You bet.
On the flip side, at least Mets fans have something to talk about for a brief moment other than the team being 19 games below .500 in early August.
