Viral Reliever Changes Controversial Celebration in MLB Return

New York Mets reliever Jefry Yan generated controversy this season with his unusual celebration, but it did not translate to the mound during his return to Major League Baseball on Wednesday. The left-hander's signature move, which involved a jump before landing in a split and striking the ground, was notably absent from his first appearance since September 5.

Despite skipping the jump, Yan struck out three batters in his return outing. He allowed no baserunners in three innings against the Baltimore Orioles, showcasing a dominant performance. While his celebration lacked the jump, interim manager Andy Green commended Yan's energy and work ethic, saying, "Three perfect innings, 32 pitches."

The southpaw made his MLB debut with the Mets in August and has appeared in 14 games so far, amassing 20 strikeouts through 15.2 innings pitched. His first stint with the team resulted in a 5.68 ERA over 12.2 innings. Following his September 5 appearance, the Mets relegated Yan to Triple-A due to Daniel Duarte and Robert Stock's injuries.

Yan returned ahead of Wednesday's game, and will look to establish himself in the MLB bullpen, possibly without his iconic jump. His high usage on Wednesday suggests he may not pitch in the Mets' series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, but could appear in the subsequent games of the series.