Summary：**Brazoban’s Rusty Return Costs Mets Dearly in First Start After Break****Introduction** Right‑hand

**Brazoban’s Rusty Return Costs Mets Dearly in First Start After Break**

**Introduction**
Right‑hander Johan Brazoban took the mound for the New York Mets on Tuesday night, marking his first appearance since a two‑week hiatus. The rust was evident early, as he surrendered three runs in the opening inning and never settled into a rhythm. The Mets fell 5‑2 to the Atlanta Braves, a loss that exposed lingering concerns about the club’s depth in the rotation heading into the stretch run.

**Key Developments**
Brazoban entered the game with a 4.12 ERA over his last five outings, but his command deserted him against a disciplined Braves lineup. He walked leadoff hitter Ronald Acuña Jr., then gave up a two‑run double to Ozzie Albies. After a brief strikeout of Austin Riley, a misplaced fastball allowed Matt Olson to drive in a third run. The Mets managed only two runs off Braves starter Spencer Strider, both coming in the fifth inning on a solo home run by Pete Alonso and an RBI single by Francisco Lindor. The bullpen held the Braves scoreless after the third, but the early deficit proved too large to overcome.

**Industry Analysis**
The outing underscores a broader issue for the Mets: reliance on pitchers returning from extended breaks without adequate rehab appearances. Analytics show that pitchers who skip a minor‑league tune‑up after a layoff experience a