New York Mets name Freddy Peralta their Opening Day starter

Freddy Peralta during 2026 Spring Training
Freddy Peralta during 2026 Spring TrainingRich Storry/Getty Images

The New York Mets named Freddy Peralta their Opening Day starting pitcher on Friday.

Peralta, 29, who was acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers this past offseason, will be on the mound for the team's first game of the season on March 26th when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Mets' new starter has thrown three no-hit innings this Spring Training with no walks and three strikeouts.

The Mets gave up their No. 3 prospect Jett Williams (MLB No. 30) and No. 5 prospect Brandon Sproat in exchange for the ace pitcher. Peralta is coming off the best season of his career, tossing a career-low 2.70 earned run average, while striking out 204 batters in 176.2 innings. 

His 1.075 WHIP is also the lowest of his career when he finishes a season with 30+ starts and has now finished back-to-back seasons with exactly a 10.4 strikeout per nine innings average. 

He earned his second All-Star selection last season and finished fifth in the National League Cy Young voting. 

In 2025, the Mets' starting rotation ranked 18th in ERA (4.13), 20th in strikeouts (766), 9th in hits (747), and gave up the third-most walks (324). Now, with Peralta, the Mets hope the true ace can be just what they need at the head of their rotation. 

New York missed the playoffs last season after finishing with an 83-79 record.

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