MILWAUKEE — The Mets’ wild-card roster featured one surprise.
Max Kranick, who did not pitch in the major leagues this year and whom the Mets designated for assignment in May, could pitch for the club for the first time in October.
The righty, who began the season as a starter and pitched well as a reliever for Triple-A Syracuse, is among the 26 active Mets for a series against the Brewers that begins Tuesday at American Family Field.
Not eligible for the best-of-three will be Tylor Megill, who pitched well in Monday’s clincher in Atlanta and likely would reappear on an NLDS roster, if the Mets advance that far. Megill will miss out on a face-off with his brother, Brewers reliever Trevor Megill.
Kranick was with the Mets in Atlanta, surfacing in the celebration at the end of the day, likely as an extra pitcher in case he were needed. After the staff had to eat up 18 innings Monday, it is possible Kranick will be needed beginning Tuesday.
Having grown up in Jessup, Pa., as a Mets fan, Kranick was claimed from the Pirates in January and was off to a strong start in spring training before a left hamstring strain set him back.
He was sent to Syracuse, DFA’d on May 6, cleared waivers and returned to the organization as a reliever capable of taking down multiple innings.
Beginning May 18, the 27-year-old pitched to a 3.17 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 54 innings while recording as many as eight outs in an outing.
Also not on a roster that had to be trimmed from 28 to 26 are Eddy Alvarez, who was not eligible for the postseason because he did not begin September in the Mets’ organization, and Joey Lucchesi, who pitched well as a call-up in the doubleheader finale Monday.