Pitcher Robert Whalen announced on his social media Monday that he is returning to the Mets.
The Mets originally selected the righty in the 12th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, but in July 2015, he was traded in a package deal to the Atlanta Braves. The deal landed the Mets veteran infielders Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe.
At the time of that trade, Whalen was the Mets' No. 18 prospect in their system, according to MiLB.com.
Here's Whalen's social media post to Twitter to announce his signing with the club, which reads: "No place like home":
No place like home. Thank you @Mets #Grateful #ST2020 pic.twitter.com/ybXXZTnp7F
- Rob Whalen (@RobWhalen38) January 27, 2020
Whalen went on to to be traded to the Seattle Mariners in 2016. In those three seasons following his departure from the Mets, Whalen had eight appearances in the majors (six starts). The 25-year-old has a 1-3 career record with 27 strikeouts and a 5.75 ERA in 36 total innings of work.
In February 2019, Whalen announced he was retiring from professional baseball, citing his personal battles with mental illness as the reason why. In the announcement, he showed a fondness for the Mets, thanking the club for drafting him.
"I am eternally grateful to the @mets for believing in me during the 2020 draft, giving an 18-year-old kid a chance to chase his dream," Whalen wrote.
Details of Whalen's deal with the Mets have yet to be announced.
Whalen has recently posted to social media showing his stuff in bullpen sessions:
Great having @RobWhalen38 out at TLA today. Healthy arm with turbo sink and flashing filthy ⚔️ secondary stuff. He won't be a FA for long. Orgs can call or DM me for metrics and pen dates. @FlatgroundApp @BaseballCloudUS #26spots1goal pic.twitter.com/PomCcd9btQ
- jon updike (@Updikej33) January 18, 2020