NEW YORK (AP) — Banker turned reliever Nate Fisher discovered on Monday the hard way that baseball really is a game of numbers.
Fisher was cut by the New York Mets a day after his illustrious major league debut that shone through the sports world.
The NL East leaders are gearing up for a two-game Subway Series against the New York Yankees. In fact, Fisher said that two hours before game time, he was in the Yankees’ clubhouse at the stadium and then ordered to be assigned.
Now completely off the 40-man roster, Fisher could be traded or waived during the seven-day window. If not requested, he could be assigned outright to the Mets minors.
Going into those games against the Yankees, the 26-year-old lefty, who threw scoreless three innings against Philadelphia on Sunday, probably couldn’t pitch. And he was let go because the Mets needed a new weapon.
“I think they know where we are,” said manager Buck Showalter after the 4-2 loss to the Yankees. As long as I’m there, I understand what’s going on.
“So they understand, but it’s still hard to have that kind of conversation,” he said.
The move comes at a time when many are still enjoying the sheer improbability of Fisher’s path.
After giving up hopes for a baseball career once and moving into the world of finance with a job in Nebraska, he caught the eye in his debut.
Fisher allowed just one hit against the Phillies, giving the Mets a chance to recover in a game they ultimately won 10–9.
From deciding whether to approve a commercial loan at First National Bank of Omaha in June 2021 to pitching into the pennant race at Citizens Bank Park in 2022.
“It’s pretty surreal right now,” Fisher said after the game. “I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity.
Fisher gave up one hit, walked two, and took one. His outing spanned his 46-minute rain delay, making his work all the more valuable.
Fans weren’t the only ones wondering about this rookie when he was introduced and headed to the mound to start the fifth inning.
“I didn’t even know who this guy was when I got into the game today,” said Mark Kanha, who hit two homers in the game.
Rather than being drafted out of the University of Nebraska, Fisher pitched in 12 games for the Seattle Mariners in single-A in 2019.
In the wake of COVID-19 uncertainty, Fisher left baseball to join his former coach in his hometown banking industry in 2020. He re-signed with the Mariners last summer and reached Triple-A.
In this year’s Mets system, Fisher went 0-1 with a 3.77 ERA in 12 games at Double-A Binghamton and 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 12 games at Triple-A Syracuse. convened.
And hours later he was on the mound.
“This is my dream,” he said after that outing — his only big league appearance so far.
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