MIAMI — The pitching situation for the Mets was once series-by-series, but after emptying the bullpen twice in Chicago earlier this week, it’s now game-by-game.
Brandon Sproat is on the mound for Friday’s series opener against the Miami Marlins, facing Sandy Alcantara, and right-hander Clay Holmes will start Saturday’s game. His leash won’t be long considering he just pitched Wednesday night in a loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field, and Holmes has also been piggybacking with left-hander Sean Manaea as of late, so it will likely be another tandem situation. However, the Mets have Manaea and left-handed starter David Peterson in the bullpen this weekend.
They’re piecing together 27 outs any way they can.
“We’ve got to get through today, and then we’ll go from there,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday at LoanDepot Park. “Right now, the only thing we know is that Clay will start.”
Sunday’s starter will be determined once the Mets can take stock of their bullpen. Holmes pitched well in relief Tuesday, other one one gaffe where he forgot to cover home plate. The Cubs were already blowing out the Mets by that point. Manaea also pitched an inning in relief, allowing a two-run home run.
Peterson last pitched Tuesday against the Cubs, failing to make it through the second inning. If the lefty stays on turn, he would be set to start Sunday. But the Mets aren’t sold on letting him start a game that could determine whether or not they clinch a postseason berth.
He’ll be in the bullpen Friday and Saturday. Peterson was a weapon out of the ‘pen during the postseason last year, but he was also near the top of his game when October rolled around. That isn’t the case right now. The 30-year-old has posted an ERA of nearly 8.00 over his 10 starts in August and September. The ball has been coming out of his hand flat and he hasn’t found a way to adjust.
There is some speculation in the organization that Peterson hit a wall around August when he surpassed his previous career-high innings mark. Last year, he threw 121.0, starting the season in late May following rehab from offseason hip surgery. He totaled 144 including his rehab appearances, but rehab innings aren’t always as competitive as big league outings.
In 2023, he threw 148 between the Major Leagues and Triple-A. This season, he’s thrown 162 2/3. His effectiveness began to slip around the time he reached the 127-130 mark.
“Again, we’ll get through today, and we’ll see if we need him out of the bullpen tomorrow,” Mendoza said. “Will we need him to start the next day or come out of the bullpen? It’s literally one day at a time.”
The only other option would be right-hander Kodai Senga, who is currently throwing bullpens up in Port St. Lucie. It seems unlikely Senga will pitch again this season, but the Mets haven’t shut him down. Mendoza said the team has not “gotten there yet.”
Reading between the lines, it appears as though the Mets could be leaving the door open for his potential return, but they’d like to avoid using him.
One pitcher who won’t be throwing this week is right-hander Reed Garrett. Tommy John surgery was recommended for the journeyman reliever, and he’s seeking a second opinion.
