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Frewsburg native Connor Grey called up to New York Mets

OBSERVER File Photo Frewsburg native Connor Grey had his dream come true on Monday night when he was called up to the New York Mets from Triple-A.

NEW YORK — Connor Grey had a dream come true Monday night.

The 28-year-old Frewsburg native was called up to the New York Mets prior to their game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Grey didn’t see any action in the Yankees’ 4-2 victory. Max Scherzer threw 6 2/3 innings for the Mets before Trevor May and Mychal Givens finished the game out of the bullpen.

Grey’s parents, Randy and Lyn, found out about the promotion too late Monday to catch a flight to the Big Apple, but decided to make the drive to the Bronx with their sons, Rich and Kyle, to see Connor and celebrate with him for his accomplishment after the game, according to Lyn.

Grey has had an up-and-down season for the Syracuse Mets, the Triple-A affiliate of the Mets. In 22 games, including 21 starts, the right-hander is 5-5 with a 5.52 earned run average and 75 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched.

New York’s pitching staff has been short-handed the last couple of days. Carlos Carrasco left his start last Monday against the Atlanta Braves after two innings with a strained oblique that is expected to sideline him for 3-4 weeks.

Taijuan Walker was originally scheduled to return to the Mets rotation on Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia, but had his start pushed back until tonight.

The Mets called up their No. 15 prospect, Jose Butto, to start in Walker’s place Sunday and also added left-handed pitcher Nate Fisher.

On Monday, the Mets designated Fisher and left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny for assignment while bringing Tomas Nido back off the 10-day injured list and selecting the contract of Grey from Syracuse.

Grey, who was issued uniform No. 72 by the Mets, was drafted in the 20th round, 599th overall, by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2016 MLB draft after a four-year career at St. Bonaventure University. In six seasons in the minor leagues, he went 34-27 with a 4.24 ERA and 461 strikeouts in 516 innings pitched. If he appears in a game, Grey would become the 11th Bonnies alum to appear in the majors and first since Danny McDevitt, who played for the Kansas City A’s in 1962.

Grey was let go by the Diamondbacks during the 2020 season with COVID-19 affecting all of minor league baseball. He caught on with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball for six starts in 2021, going 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA, before the Mets signed him and pitched him at High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton last summer.

New York thought highly enough of Grey to grant him one of their eight coveted spots in the Arizona Fall League where he went 1-2 in six appearances, including three starts, for the Salt River Rafters.

If Grey remains on the roster for tonight’s game, he could see action if Walker has any difficulties in his return from a bulging disc.

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