51 Paul Sewald RP

Sewald was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, ddd reports.

Sewald allowed two runs and struck out one over five innings since his promotion to the big leagues April 14, but he'll head back to Syracuse, where he'll likely see more opportunities. Todd Frazier was activated from the 10-day injured list and Luis Guillorme was recalled from Triple-A in corresponding moves.

The Mets recalled Sewald from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Sewald will provide an fresh arm out of the bullpen in place of long man Corey Oswalt, who was optioned to Syracuse after covering 3.2 innings in relief in Saturday's 11-7 loss to the Braves. A veteran of 103 career appearances in the majors, Sewald has supplied a 5.25 ERA and 9.3 K/9 across 121.2 innings.

The Mets optioned Sewald to their minor-league camp Tuesday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Sewald and Jacob Rhame were both sent down as the Mets narrowed down the competition for the remaining opening in the bullpen to Tyler Bashlor, Kyle Dowdy and Hector Santiago. The 28-year-old Sewald did little to distinguish himself in 46 appearances in the big leagues in 2018, accruing a 6.07 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 56.1 frames.

Sewald recorded the final two outs of the ninth inning Wednesday, one via strikeout, to pick up his first career save in a 5-3 win over the Giants.

The Mets' closer situation remains a mess, as four different pitchers (Sewald, Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo and Jerry Blevins) have notched the team's last four saves. Sewald's 4.68 ERA and 1.4 HR/9 would make him a volatile ninth-inning option even if the team did commit to him in the role, but given the competition and the circumstances, Wednesday's save chance could easily end up being his last of the year despite the successful conversion.

Sewald was called up to the majors on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Sewald has a 5.05 ERA in 41 innings for the Mets this season. His 24.1 percent strikeout rate and 7.5 percent walk rate are each solid, but he barely gets any ground balls (27.1 percent). He'll fill the bullpen spot vacated by Jeurys Familia, who was traded to the Athletics on Saturday.