Freddy Peralta is treating his return to New York as a regular start, even as the matchup carries added significance. The Tampa Bay Rays acquired the veteran right-hander from the Milwaukee Brewers last offseason, but his disappointing run with the Mets contributed to the Trade Deadline sell-off that sent him to Tampa Bay.
Peralta will start the middle game of the series against his former team, giving him an opportunity to showcase the progress he has made during his first month with the Rays. He has worked closely with pitching coach Kyle Snyder and bullpen coach Jorge Moncada to address the issues that affected his performance in New York.
“Obviously, I feel different mentally and physically. I feel really comfortable right now, because I was working on a lot of stuff when I was in New York but I couldn’t make the adjustment until I got here,” Peralta said Monday afternoon in the Rays’ dugout. “The more important thing is now I am in the spot that I want to be.”
Peralta did not find that comfort during his time with the Mets. He went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts, a sharp contrast to the All-Star and National League Cy Young Award candidate he had become with the Brewers. His hits and walks increased while his strikeouts declined, and “Fastball Freddy” lost some of the extension that had made his signature fastball so effective.
The right-hander previously acknowledged that he “let them down” after joining the Rays. Although he said Monday that it was difficult to leave the “really good friends” he made in New York, he fully expected to be traded by the time the Trade Deadline arrived.
Peralta rejected the idea that pitching in New York’s high-pressure environment affected him. He said the pressure is “just part of the game” and was not responsible for his performance. He again made no excuses for his inconsistency but acknowledged that his lack of production weighed on him.
“Because it was the first time that I was struggling like that. But I never give up,” Peralta said. “I was always trying to find a way to feel better, to pitch better, and I knew what I can do and I was feeling good physically, too, and healthy. But I couldn’t make the adjustment.”
The Rays continued to see value in Peralta’s track record and pitch mix, acquiring him on Aug. 2 in exchange for three well-regarded prospects: right-hander Gary Gill Hill, infielder Émilien Pitre and outfielder Aidan Smith.
“The good thing is that, now, I’m different,” Peralta said. “I feel different, and I’m ready to keep going until the World Series, hopefully.”
Tampa Bay has been encouraged by Peralta’s progress and hopes he can maintain that momentum against the Mets.
“I expect that Freddy’s going to go out and do what he’s been doing for us, and that’s compete at the highest level possible,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I’m sure he’s excited to see some buddies over there and pitch against them, but he’s done it before, coming from Milwaukee to New York.”
Peralta said he will not know exactly how he feels until he takes the mound Tuesday night, but he does not plan to change his preparation.
“It’s a challenge. Every game, I think, for me, I take it the same way,” Peralta said. “Just come in to compete and try to get the win.”
