29 Tommy Hunter RP

Hunter will be the first pitcher on the mound for what's expected to be a bullpen game Saturday against the Diamondbacks, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Hunter hasn't started a game since 2012. He's unlikely to pitch deep into Saturday's game, as he hasn't recorded more than six outs in an appearance since 2013. Joey Lucchesi and Trevor Hildenberger are the top candidates to follow him out of the bullpen.

Hunter's contract was selected by the Mets on Thursday.

Hunter served as a non-roster invitee this spring and will join the major-league roster after Jordan Yamamoto was sent down and Carlos Carrasco (hamstring) was placed on the 60-day injured list. The veteran made 24 relief appearances for the Phillies last year, posting a 4.01 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 24.2 innings.

Hunter signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Tuesday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The 34-year-old was in camp as a non-roster invitee before being released last week, but he agreed to a new minors deal with the Mets on Tuesday. Hunter had a 4.01 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB over 24.2 innings for the Phillies last season.

Hunter was released by the Mets on Thursday.

The veteran righty joined the Mets as a non-roster invitee prior to camp but had an opt-out in his contract in the event that he didn't earn a roster spot. He evidently wasn't going to break camp in the big-league bullpen, so he'll now look for work elsewhere.

Hunter signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Sunday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

The veteran right-hander spent 2020 in Philadelphia and had a solid season with a 4.01 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB over 24.2 innings. Hunter has a 3.24 ERA since converting to a full-time reliever in 2013 and should be able to crack the Mets' Opening Day roster with a decent showing in spring training.

Hunter struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Blue Jays on Saturday.

The veteran right-hander picked up his first save of the season Saturday, as typical ninth-inning option Hector Neris worked during Friday's doubleheader and Brandon Workman has surrendered five runs over his last three outings. Hunter has mostly been working as a setup man this season and has eight holds, a 4.29 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB over 21 innings.

Hunter gave up one hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings en route to claiming his third hold of the season Tuesday in the Phillies' 8-3 win over the Nationals.

The Phillies eased Hunter into action to begin the season after he arrived late to summer camp following a positive COVID-19 test. Though he was included on the Opening Day roster, his initial appearances came mostly in low-leverage spots, but Hunter has since emerged as one of manager Joe Girardi's more trusted setup men. He's collected all three of his holds over his last five appearances, during which he's yielded one run over six innings while striking out five.

Hunter (illness) reported to the Phillies' summer camp Friday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The veteran right-hander has been absent from camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but he's apparently recovered and cleared the league's protocols. Hunter is expected to work in middle relief and see occasional high-leverage action, but he may need some extra time to reach game readiness with only a week until Opening Day.

Hunter is working through league protocols to rejoin his teammates after previously testing positive for COVID-19, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It was reported previously that Hunter was on the COVID-19 injured list, though placement on that list doesn't necessarily mean the player had tested positive themselves. In Hunter's case, he had, but he's seemingly on his way back. He'll have to test negative twice and be completely past his symptoms before he's able to return to workouts.

Hunter was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hunter and three of his teammates were placed on the injured list for initially undisclosed reasons, but it's since been revealed that all four have landed on the COVID-19 injured list rather than the normal 10-day injured list. That doesn't guarantee that any of them have tested positive for the virus, however, as players can be placed on the list simply for having been in contact with an infected person. With players' medical information being kept confidential in this area, it's difficult to say when Hunter is expected to return to the field.

The Phillies placed Hunter (forearm) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Though Hunter required right flexor tendon surgery last July and was limited in spring training, he was expected to be available for Opening Day after the start of the season was delayed approximately four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the report doesn't cite any injury in particular behind Hunter's placement on the IL, the right-hander may be dealing with an issue unrelated to his forearm. Whenever Hunter receives a clean bill of health, he's expected to work as one of the Phillies' top setup men. Though he was limited to just five big-league appearances last season, Hunter was reasonably effective when healthy in 2018, posting a 3.80 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while recording 25 holds in 64 innings.

Hunter (forearm) is expected to be ready to go by Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Hunter has been working his way back from surgery on his right flexor tendon, a procedure he underwent back in July of 2019. He would have opened the season on the injured list had the campaign begun as scheduled, but the delayed start has bought him enough time to get healthy. The veteran has 21 career saves and could add a few more to his tally this season, though the Phillies will likely be happy as long as he can manage to be a serviceable middle reliever.

Hunter (forearm) is expected to open the season on the injured list, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies brought Hunter back on a major-league deal despite the fact that the veteran is still recovering from surgery on his right flexor tendon. This time last season, he was also dealing with a flexor issue, which wound up keeping him out until late June. It doesn't appear that things will go the same way this season, however, as he's already throwing regular bullpen sessions.

Hunter (forearm) is expected to throw off a mound in two weeks, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Hunter's season ended prematurely due to right flexor surgery in mid-July. He appears to have enough time to get up to speed by Opening Day, provided his recovery proceeds without setbacks.

Hunter (forearm) passed his physical and is taking part in drills Wednesday at Phillies camp after signing a major-league deal with the club, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Reports that Hunter agreed to a deal with the Phillies surfaced a few days ago, but it wasn't apparent whether he would attend camp as a member of the 40-man roster or as a non-roster invitee. The Phillies cleared up any ambiguity about Hunter's situation by shifting David Robertson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list, thereby opening up a 40-man spot for the 33-year-old righty. Hunter's 2019 campaign ended in mid-July after he required surgery to address a right flexor tendon injury, but his ability to pass a physical suggests he won't face any restrictions this spring. He'll be looking to secure a middle-relief or setup role with the club.

Hunter (forearm) signed with the Phillies on Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The financial details of the contract have not yet been released. Hunter had been paid $18 million by the Phillies over the previous two years, a deal which didn't entirely go as planned as he threw just 5.1 innings in the second season of the contract while battling arm troubles. If healthy, Hunter is a quality arm, as he owns a 3.19 ERA dating back to his conversion to relief back in 2013, but there's plenty of reason to doubt his health heading into his age-33 season.

Hunter underwent surgery on his right flexor tendon Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Hunter was sent to the shelf July 14 due to a right forearm strain, and it was later determined that he needed surgery to repair his flexor tendon. His UCL was looked at during the procedure, and it was determined that it did not need to be surgically repaired. Skipper Gabe Kapler confirmed that Hunter will miss the remainder of the 2019 campaign after going under the knife, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Hunter was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a right forearm strain.

Hunter missed the first three months of the season with a flexor strain in his right elbow and only rejoined the Phillies in late June, but he'll now make his way back to the IL. According to Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic, the 33-year-old is hoping to return to the mound this season, but a specific recovery timeline won't come into focus until he is further evaluated.

Hunter (elbow) was activated off the 60-day injured list Friday.

Hunter has been out since February due to a flexor strain but is ready to join the Phillies after four minor-league rehab outings. The 29-year-old had a 3.80 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 51:15 K:BB over 64 innings with Philadelphia last season and figures to work his way into a high-leverage role if he performs well early.

Hunter (elbow) could be activated from the injured list during this weekend's series against the Marlins, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Hunter has been on the shelf all season with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He's made four rehab appearances, allowing one run on three hits while striking out six across five innings. Hunter could make two additional rehab appearances Friday and Saturday before returning. Either way, the right-hander appears to be close to making his 2019 big-league debut.