Mets activate Brooks Raley in long-awaited boon to beleaguered bullpen

A Mets bullpen that entered the All-Star break taxed after plenty of shuffling received a much-needed boost when the season resumed.

Brooks Raley, the lefty reliever rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, was activated from the injured list ahead of their series opener against the Reds on Friday at Citi Field.

Mets relief pitcher Brooks Raley throws a pitch on April 04, 2024. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

He hasn’t pitched in a game in the majors since April 2024 and finished his rehab assignment with eight scoreless outings across nine innings pitched.

Raley’s return gives the Mets another high-leverage reliever in a year where two of their left-handed options — A.J. Minter and Danny Young — were lost to season-ending injuries early in the campaign.

Richard Lovelady was designated for assignment in a corresponding move, while Paul Blackburn was set to start a rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League Mets and José Buttó’s rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Syracuse.