ATLANTA — Nate Lavender has made a strong early impression with the New York Mets’ bullpen following a recent roster overhaul. The left-handed reliever has appeared in three consecutive scoreless outings, totaling 3 1/3 innings with five strikeouts and allowing only one hit.

Lavender, 26, was originally drafted by the Mets in 2021 and rejoined the organization this season after the Tampa Bay Rays selected him in the Rule 5 draft following the 2024 campaign. His return was particularly welcomed by Mets officials after the team traded left-handed relievers A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley at last week’s trade deadline. Lavender, alongside Jeffry Yan, has stepped into the bullpen roles left vacant by those trades.

Interim manager Andy Green noted Lavender’s composure in high-pressure situations. “He’s pitched in a few tense situations,” Green said ahead of the Mets’ 4-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. “A lot of people were pretty sullen when he got claimed by the Rays. We were thrilled when he came back. We have always trusted the human and the competitor, and I think he has proven himself out here on a big stage pretty quickly.”

Meanwhile, the Mets are monitoring Kodai Senga’s development as a potential closer, particularly with Devin Williams currently sidelined. Senga recorded his first Major League Baseball save on Monday by pitching a scoreless ninth inning but has yet to appear in back-to-back games in his career. Green emphasized the importance of ensuring Senga’s physical readiness before deploying him on consecutive days.

“We want to ensure he’s in a good spot physically the first time you ask him to do that,” Green said.

The Mets continue to adjust their bullpen roles as they prepare for the remainder of the season, relying increasingly on emerging pitchers like Lavender while managing the workloads of key arms such as Senga.