Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. SAN DIEGO The Mets sent down a reliever who was tied for the team lead in games pitched. Needing an arm that wasnt weary and eyeing a fresher, more stretched-out version of Huascar Brazobn later in the season, the Mets optioned the righty, who had pitched in more games than every reliever on the team except Reed Garrett. Brazobn has been a mainstay for the club all season, although his usage had evolved during the grind of a long season. When the Mets bullpen was at its best in April, Brazobn was a multi-inning weapon who recorded as many as seven outs in an appearance and had thrown 34 pitches in his season debut. In each of the 35-year-olds past 12 games, he did not record more than three outs. Explore More When Brazobn Harrison Barnes Jersey returns later this summer, the Mets hope they will be bringing up the strong, lengthy reliever they saw in April. Hes done a lot for us, manager Carlos Mendoza said at Petco Park. We want to use this time to continue to build him up for a potential role here because we told him, Youre going to be back here. Brazobn will have a more scripted throwing program with Triple-A Syracuse, stretching out to hopefully up to 40 pitches, Mendoza said. The Mets needed a fresh arm, and Brazobns was not: He contributed to Mondays fifth-inning implosion and had owned a 10.66 ERA in his past 14 games. Mets reliever Huascar Brazobn had owned a 10.66 ERA in his past 14 games. AP Typically when the club has needed a reliever who could be available immediately over the past month, it has designated a pitcher for a signment. This time, as the Mets made room for the recently DFAd and now re-signed Chris Devenski, Brazobn was sent down and Rico Garcia was retained. Garcia, who has been on and off the roster, has delivered he entered play without allowing a run in 9 / innings with the Mets. He is trying to carve out a more permanent role in the bullpen. He continues to show us that he can help us, Mendoza said of the righty. In each of Huascar Brazobns past 12 games, he did not record more than three outs. AP Je se Winker (back inflammation) is not close to a return. Placed on the injured list on July 11, Winker is not doing much, Mendoza said, and is at least a few days away from resuming baseball activities. The Mets are still confident Winker will return at some point this season. Thats what the trainers are telling us, Mendoza said. We just got to wait. For the first time all season, Jeff McNeil, who went 1-for-4, started a third straight game in center field. The Mets had shown more caution earlier this season with a natural infielder whose legs they want to keep fresh. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Taking advantage of the beautiful weather here. San Francisco wasnt too hot, Mendoza said. Ill check with him. Hes doing a good job of just kind of monitoring that workload. Tylor Megill (right elbow sprain) is set to throw a bullpen se sion that approximates multiple innings on Wednesday, Mendoza said. If all goes well, the righty then would begin facing hitters. Willie Cauley-Stein Jersey