The Mets called up right-handed reliever Drew Smith as the Subway Series begins in the Bronx tonight. Smith is the young pitcher the Mets received from Tampa Bay last July when Lucas Duda was traded to the Rays.
Smith made his MLB debut on June 23, pitching a scoreless inning against the Dodgers. He gave up one run in three appearances before being sent back to the minors.
Now he’s back in the majors and took some time to talk to NY Sports Day on Friday afternoon.
NYSD: You excited for the first Subway Series?
DS: Yeah. I’m pumped. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it, ready to be a part of it and hopefully get a couple of Ws out of it.
NYSD: Was it a little tough going back down to the minors after getting a taste of the majors?
DS: Yeah. It’s always tough, I mean, just heard from other guys it’s kind of an adjustment once you get back down there, you realize how much you miss it and how much you want to get back and it’s just honestly more motivation to get back up here. Luckily I was only down for the 10 days that I had to be down, so I’m happy to be back for sure.
NYSD: Was it a little tough not to walk around with a big head, like, ‘Yeah, that’s right, I made it guys’?
DS: You know what, it really wasn’t just because we have a lot of guys in Vegas who have a pretty good amount of time, so it was nice to be a part of that group, just being one of the guys who has some big league time, but at the same time I want to be back up here and get better.
NYSD: What is that pitchers and catchers meeting like going through Judge, Stanton, that kind of lineup?
DS: It was just business, really. It’s just getting to know the other hitters, playing the cat and mouse game, and hopefully I get a chance to show my stuff against them.