Brooks Raley makes big step in attempt to return to MLB

Free agent reliever Brooks Raley threw a bullpen session for scouts in Texas on Friday, reports Will Sammon of The Athletic. According to Sammon, there were 12+ teams in attendance. Raley is around 11 months removed from last May’s Tommy John procedure, so he’s presumably not yet ready for game action.

The surgery ended his two-year stint with the Mets. Raley had an impressive 2023 season, working to a 2.80 earned run average through 54 2/3 innings.



He had reeled off seven scoreless frames with nine strikeouts last season before his elbow gave out. Raley recorded three saves and 29 holds while only surrendering three leads over his season-plus in a Mets uniform. The 36-year-old southpaw is a breaking ball specialist.

Raley relies mostly on his low-80s sweeper and a mid-80s cutter. He’s annually among the game’s best at avoiding hard contact. He also fanned nearly 26% of opposing hitters with a solid 11.

8% swinging strike rate back in 2023. Raley was loosely tied to the Cubs and Yankees in January but could be of interest to virtually any team as affordable bullpen depth. This article first appeared on MLB Trade Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

.