Mets demote Tylor Megill, deal Escobar for 2 minor league pitchers

PHILADELPHIA -- The struggling New York Mets made a pair of moves to address their underperforming pitching staff Friday, optioning Tylor Megill to Triple-A Syracuse and also acquiring minor league pitchers Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels received veteran third baseman  Eduardo Escobar in the deal along with cash considerations.

Megill is 6-4 with a 5.17 ERA in 15 starts for the Mets this season. He gave up 4 runs, 5 hits and 4 walks in 2⅓ innings Wednesday as New York lost 10-8 in Houston.

"Command has been the biggest issue," manager Buck Showalter said before Friday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Showalter did not announce a replacement for Megill in the rotation Tuesday at home against Milwaukee, saying the club is considering several options.

Asked what the determining factor would be, Showalter said: "Who's your best option to win a game in the major leagues?"

Megill, 27, has issued 39 walks in 71⅓ innings this year. He walked 40 batters over 137 innings combined the past two seasons.

Showalter said the move to the minors will allow the right-hander to correct mechanical issues in a more relaxed environment.

"We talked about taking a breath and trying to get back to where he was," Showalter said. "Obviously, we like him a lot and know he's capable of better. I look forward to him getting back in the mix."

In place of Megill, the Mets recalled right-handed reliever Vinny Nittoli from Syracuse. He was looking to make his New York debut after appearing in one game for Seattle in 2021 and two for Philadelphia last year.

"He throws it over, spins it well and provides a need for us," Showalter said.

Megill was an eighth-round draft pick by the Mets in 2018. He was ticketed for the minors coming out of spring training before injuries to starting pitchers Jose Quintana and Justin Verlander opened a couple of spots in the rotation.

Quintana is still rehabbing from rib surgery and is expected back next month.

Escobar, 34, fills a need for the Angels at third base with oft-injured  Anthony Rendon sidelined due to a bruised left wrist and  Gio Urshela likely to miss the season with a broken pelvis. A 13-year veteran, he was an NL All-Star in 2021, when he hit .246 with 22 homers and 65 RBIs for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He is hitting .236 with four home runs and 16 RBIs this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.