The New York Mets may soon find themselves staring down a very familiar face from the mound inside the National League East. Left-handed reliever Alex Young is officially getting another shot in professional baseball after signing a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals, creating a potential reunion with the club he briefly helped during the 2024 season.
The move may not make national headlines immediately, but it could quietly become one of the more interesting comeback stories in the division this year. Young, who missed the entire 2025 season recovering from elbow surgery, now has a chance to rebuild his career with one of the Mets’ direct rivals. If he returns to form, New York could soon be forced to face a pitcher who once contributed to their bullpen success.
Young’s journey through Major League Baseball has been anything but straightforward. Originally selected in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the southpaw made his MLB debut in 2019 and quickly showed flashes of potential. While he never became a full-time star, Young established himself as a reliable bullpen option capable of handling difficult innings against left-handed hitters.
Over the years, he bounced around several organizations, including the Cleveland Guardians, San Francisco Giants, and Cincinnati Reds. His career path reflected the reality many relief pitchers face in modern baseball — constantly fighting for roster spots while trying to stay healthy and productive.
That journey eventually brought him to Queens in July 2024 when the Mets claimed him off waivers. At the time, New York was searching for bullpen depth, and Young quickly proved he could provide meaningful innings. Although his sample size was relatively small, the veteran left-hander impressed during his brief stint with the team.
In 14 appearances with the Mets, Young posted a strong 3.29 ERA across 13.2 innings while giving manager Carlos Mendoza another dependable option late in games. He did not record a win or save, but his ability to limit damage and attack hitters from the left side made him a useful piece in New York’s bullpen rotation.
For Mets fans, Young’s departure may not carry the emotional impact of losing a superstar, but his effectiveness during that stretch was noticeable. Bullpen consistency often decides playoff races, and Young gave New York quality innings at a critical point in the season.
Unfortunately, his momentum came to a halt before the 2025 season ever began.
After re-signing with Cincinnati during the offseason, Young suffered a major setback when he underwent season-ending surgery on his left elbow on March 31, 2025. The injury forced him to miss the entire campaign and created uncertainty surrounding his baseball future.
Young later shared emotional details about the injury and surgery process in a social media post that has since been deleted. According to Young, he had unknowingly pitched through a distal tear for nearly nine years while also dealing with bone fragments that had accumulated over time.
The revelation stunned many around baseball because it highlighted the physical toll pitchers endure throughout their careers. Despite years of discomfort and hidden damage, Young managed to continue competing at the highest level before finally requiring surgery.
In his post, Young admitted the news was difficult to process.
“I never thought I would be in this situation,” Young wrote. “Nor did I think I would ever need surgery.”
He also expressed gratitude toward renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister and his medical staff for helping repair the damage in his elbow.
Perhaps most importantly, Young appeared optimistic about his recovery. Even while discussing the seriousness of the surgery, he maintained a sense of humor, joking that he woke up from anesthesia believing he was about to throw 100 mph fastballs before instead asking for snacks.
That positivity may have helped him stay focused throughout the lengthy rehabilitation process.
Now healthy enough to resume his career, Young elected free agency before eventually landing with Washington. The Nationals are currently looking for experienced bullpen depth, and adding a veteran left-hander on a low-risk minor league deal makes plenty of sense for a rebuilding club trying to remain competitive inside the division.
If Young performs well in the minors, it would not be surprising to see Washington promote him later this season. His experience against National League hitters, combined with his ability to provide matchup flexibility, could make him a valuable bullpen weapon.
For the Mets, the timing is especially interesting.
New York is currently riding momentum after finally recording its first series sweep of the season with an impressive three-game set against the Detroit Tigers. The Mets closed out the sweep with a convincing 9-4 victory as the offense erupted and the pitching staff continued to deliver strong performances.
Manager Carlos Mendoza praised the overall quality of the team’s play following the win.
“There’s a lot to like,” Mendoza said. “We won in a lot of different ways, we swung the bat well, we created traffic, we ran the bases well. We got timely hitting. The pitching was outstanding. Overall, the whole series, I thought we played complete, complete games.”
The Mets hope that momentum continues as they push deeper into the season, but the NL East remains highly competitive. Every roster move matters, even one involving a reliever attempting a comeback after surgery.
For Young, this signing represents more than just another contract. It is an opportunity to prove he can still contribute at the major league level after enduring the toughest injury setback of his professional career.
And for the Mets, it creates the possibility that an old bullpen contributor could soon become a frustrating obstacle standing on the opposite side of one of baseball’s fiercest divisional rivalries.
