The New York Mets have faced ongoing instability in their starting rotation despite good health among pitchers, leading to multiple moves between the rotation and bullpen. Recent transactions include selecting Carl Edwards Jr. from Triple-A Syracuse and optioning Christian Scott back down. The team plans to reinstate David Peterson for a start next Wednesday against the Nationals.
Entering spring training, the Mets' depth chart featured Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, Tobias Myers, Christian Scott and Jonah Tong as key options. Though all remained healthy, three starters shifted to the bullpen, with others shuttling to the minors. On Friday, the Mets selected Carl Edwards Jr. from Triple-A Syracuse for bullpen duty and optioned Scott a day after his start. In the interim, the club is running with four starters or swingmen from the bullpen, a strategy that president of baseball operations David Stearns said has worked so far. “I think it’s worked so far,” Stearns noted. “I don’t know how long we can keep it going, but it’s worked so far.” Peralta, McLean and Holmes remain the locked-in starters, combining for a 2.90 ERA and all of the Mets' wins by starting pitchers this season. Myers has excelled in relief with a 2.60 ERA over 17 1/3 innings and will stay there. Peterson, demoted after allowing 14 earned runs in three starts from April 2-13, impressed Thursday with 10 outs and one run on 45 pitches in a 10-8 win over the Twins. Kodai Senga takes the mound Saturday against the Rockies despite an 8.83 ERA, as Stearns seeks more consistency. “I think we’ve seen flashes from Kodai,” Stearns said. “There’s no question we need some more consistency.” Manager Carlos Mendoza questioned long-term sustainability but expressed satisfaction for now. “I don’t know if we continue to go this route, if that’s going to be sustainable,” Mendoza said. “But in the meantime, we feel good with where we’re at with those guys.”