The New York Mets opened the 2025 Subway Series at Yankee Stadium against the New York Yankees with much of the attention focused on Juan Soto’s return to the Bronx. Yet, a more under-the-radar storyline for the Mets unfolded on the mound, centered around Tylor Megill.
After a surprisingly strong start to the season, Megill has now posted three straight subpar outings, raising serious questions about his future in the starting rotation—and possibly on the MLB roster altogether. His struggles could pave the way for a pitcher currently on a rehab assignment to take his place, with one candidate in particular standing to gain the most from Megill’s downturn.
Did Tylor Megill just pitch himself off the Mets roster?
Tylor Megill began the 2025 season with impressive numbers—boasting a 1.74 ERA, 30% strikeout rate, and limiting opponents to a .198 batting average. But those early-season flashes of dominance have quickly faded. His most recent outing against the Yankees—allowing four earned runs and issuing five walks in just 2.2 innings—pushed his ERA up to 3.74 and further underscored the downward trend in his performance.
Since April 1, Megill has posted an alarming 7.45 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .282 with a .462 slugging percentage, and his home run-to-fly ball ratio has skyrocketed from an elite 3.8% in March to over 20% in recent appearances. Perhaps more concerning is the 13-point drop in his ground ball rate, making him far more susceptible to fly balls and long balls alike.
Adding to the concern is Megill’s roster status. With a minor league option still intact, the Mets can demote him to Triple-A without risking losing him to waivers. That flexibility, combined with his struggles, makes a rotation change increasingly likely—especially as Paul Blackburn continues his rehab progress. Blackburn, who struck out seven in 4.1 innings while allowing just one hit in his penultimate rehab appearance, may not have been perfect, but he’s been solid enough to warrant a look.
Given the context—Megill’s decline, Blackburn’s readiness, and the looming returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas—the Mets appear poised to act. Optioning Megill not only opens the door for a potentially more stable starter but also gives the team the ability to carry an extra reliever in the interim. For now, it seems the early-season version of Megill has vanished, and unless he can rediscover that form in the minors, his spot on the big-league roster is slipping away.