Explore More
Former Mets reliever Tommy Hunter is retiring after a successful 16-year career spanning seven teams, the 37-year-old told The Athletic.
Hunter ended his career with the Mets, posting a 6.85 ERA across 14 outings in 2023.
The righty recorded a 4.07 ERA in his career, along with a 4.40 postseason ERA.
He told the Athletic he “might have something to give back to the game.”
Hunter, the 54th pick in the 2007 MLB Draft, began his career as a starting pitcher, starting 75 of his first 98 appearances spanning his time with the Rangers and Orioles.
The Rangers drafted him and then traded him alongside slugger Chris Davis to Baltimore for reliever Koji Uehara at the 2011 trade deadline.
Hunter enjoyed strong seasons with the Orioles, posting a 2.81 ERA in 2013 in his first full season as a reliever in 2013 and followed that with a 2.97 ERA in 2014.
The Orioles traded him to the Cubs in 2015, and he then started bouncing around. His career also featured stops with the Phillies, Rays and Cleveland.
The Yankees actually tried to sign Hunter before the 2016 season, but a two-year deal in the $12 million range fell apart due to issues with his physical.
The veteran instead signed with Cleveland.
Hunter’s final three seasons took him to Flushing, and he appeared in 36 games for the Mets and posted a 4.00 ERA spanning the 2021-23 seasons.
He appeared in just four games in 2021, but posted a 2.42 ERA in 18 games in 2022.
Hunter had considered retiring before the 2022 season following back surgery but opted to return.
The crowning moment of his Mets’ tenure may have ironically come as a hitter.
On May 18, 2021, Hunter ripped a single off Braves pitcher Tucker Davidson, the only hit of his career.
He finished 1-for-5 in his career.
ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7kGtmamxfqL2wvtOsZp6wXaKytXnRnqOinaaav27AzqaksmWYqru1sdFmqZ6smaeytHnAn6ueql1mg27FxJqpZpuRp7Kmvo4%3D