Mets’ Ryne Stanek clinging to roster spot as struggles mount

ATLANTA — Ryne Stanek began the season as a top Mets bullpen option but is nearing the final month just struggling to maintain a roster spot.

It’s a reality the 34-year-old fireballer acknowledges but says he chooses largely to ignore as he attempts to rebound from what he considers a career-worst stretch.

“If you play long enough, you know how the business works,” said Stanek, who did not appear in the Mets’ 12-7 win over the Braves on Friday. “My job is to go out there and pitch and get outs and get better and take what they tell me and implement it. I can’t concern myself with [potentially getting released] at the moment. All that is, it’s a distraction.”

Stanek has compiled a 5.65 ERA in 50 appearances this season. His latest rough outing was Thursday, when he allowed four earned runs in the eighth inning in the Mets’ 9-3 loss in Washington.

It marked the third time this month Stanek surrendered multiple runs during an outing. He now has an 18.56 ERA for August with 11 hits allowed and five walks over 5 ¹/₃ innings, spanning seven appearances.

Stanek’s frustration stems from the fact his raw stuff remains elite — his average fastball velocity of 98.5 mph ranks in MLB’s 97th percentile, according to Statcast, with a slider on which the expected batting average this season is .168. The actual number is .229, as Stanek hasn’t caught many breaks on balls put in play.