Tobias Myers facing significant issue as struggles continue at Triple-A after Mets demotion

ATLANTA — Tobias Myers went from a valued arm for the Mets early this season to far removed from the major league mix as the season nears the home stretch.

The right-hander, who was demoted in June, has pitched to an 8.24 ERA over his past eight appearances for Triple-A Syracuse, most recently utilized as a starter.

Myers began the season as a swingman for the Mets after arriving with Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Brewers last winter.

“He has the kind of stuff and has demonstrated the kind of stuff that gets people out in the big leagues,” interim manager Andy Green said before the Mets’ 6-3 loss to the Braves on Wednesday at Truist Field. “It hasn’t been showing in Triple-A right now. He has the capacity to change that. He’s got great work ethic. He’s just got to demonstrate it. If he does, I fully expect to see him.”

Myers’ dip in velocity has been the most significant issue, according to Green.

“The most recent outing he was sitting around 90 [mph],” Green said. “He’s been successful in the big leagues, there was an outing last year he went 3 ¹/₃ [innings], he was up to 98 and was sitting at 96. He has bullied hitters with his fastball and then the split plays off it. That is not happening right now. That belongs to him, and our pitching group is there to help him. But he’s got the opportunity to change that and he’s somebody we do believe in and want back here.”

Tobias Myers, who was demoted earlier this season, is still struggling at Triple-A. Corey Sipkin for New York Post

Cristian Pache spent most of the season at Syracuse wondering if he would get an opportunity with the Mets. The veteran is now receiving that opportunity as the team’s fifth outfielder following the trade that sent Tyrone Taylor to the Cubs.

“I will keep working to play,” Pache said. “I want to do more for the team.”

Pache has primarily served as a late-inning defensive replacement in games Brett Baty has started in the outfield.

“The elite defense, the baserunning, kind of fits that role for us if we need that,” Green said. “Those are the skill sets we value with him and there’s not a lot of starts [for him] with the other guys in the outfield.”

Francisco Alvarez’s .838 OPS for August entering play wasn’t unnoticed by Green.

“I think [his at-bats] have just been really competitive, every one of them, for the most part,” Green said. “The power is there. The hits are there. He’s starting to drive in runs as well. Alvy’s ceiling is still astronomically high. He has the capacity to do so much in this game and to see a lot of it come out and see his OPS continue to march northward, it’s fun to see.”

The Mets fell to 18-21 against NL East opponents this season. They will continue their division slate with three games against the Nationals beginning Friday at Citi Field.