Daniel Duarte aims to reclaim a spot in the big leagues with the Mets
Duarte’s signing slipped into view in December 2025, unearthed when MLB Trade Rumors highlighted his minor league agreement listed on his MLB.com profile (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/mets-sign-daniel-duarte-to-minor-league-contract.html). Among the multitude of relievers David Stearns added this offseason, Duarte stands out for his blend of MLB exposure and standout winter-ball dominance this year.
At 29, the right-hander has plenty of big-stage experience despite arriving in New York with little fanfare. He has appeared in 36 Major League games, making his debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2022 after stints with the Rangers, Royals, and Reds organizations and a brief run in the Mexican League between Reds assignments. He was dealt from Cincinnati to Minnesota before the 2024 offseason, pitched in two games for the Twins, then underwent elbow surgery that forced him to miss the 2024 and 2025 seasons. His career ERA sits at 3.99.
Duarte also has international pedigree, having represented Mexico in the 2020 Olympics and slated to play for his country in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. That adds an extra layer of storyline for Mets fans to follow during the tournament.
His breakout came during the Mexican Winter League, where Duarte impressed Caneros de Los Mochis across 25 games and 24 innings with an astonishing 0.00 ERA. He yielded only 10 hits, issued just four walks, and gave up no earned runs (an unearned run did occur, which should be noted). This dominant stretch helped put him on scouts’ radars.
In terms of repertoire, Duarte relies on a slider-forward approach, using the breaker about 36% of the time. His fastball sits near 95 mph, supported by a cutter and a changeup, in that order of usage. He tends not to rack up strikeouts or walk many hitters, instead aiming to induce weak contact and generate ground balls. During his only extended Major League look in 2023, he posted a 50% ground-ball rate, struck out roughly 17% of hitters, walked about 15%, and carried a 32.6% hard-hit rate with a 4.3% barrel rate, according to Baseball Savant.
Most likely, Duarte will not be on the Mets’ Opening Day roster unless injuries open a path for him. He’s poised to contribute important innings for Triple-A Syracuse while continuing to show upside from his winter-dominant form. With a strong showing in the World Baseball Classic and in spring training, he could position himself for an early-season call-up should bullpen turnover create opportunities as the season unfolds.
