The New York Mets had an opening in the starting rotation following Marcus Stroman’s decision to opt out of the season and Michael Wacha’s shoulder injury. Several options were considered to fill in not just tonight’s start, but also, permanently, or at least indefinitely. Among them were Franklyn Kilome, Ariel Jurado, Erasmo Ramirez and Walker Lockett.
However, New York Mets’ manager Luis Rojas chose to stretch out bullpen arm Robert Gsellman, who has some starting experience, and have him join the rotation alongside Jacob deGrom, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz and rookie David Peterson, at least until Wacha is ready to return from his ailment.
The information was reported by MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo via Twitter. “Not only will Robert Gsellman start tonight, he will be stretched out as a starting pitcher, Mets manager Luis Rojas tells @WFAN660,” he wrote.
The Mets had other options but chose Gsellman
The move may come as a surprise to many, but it is not a bad idea after all. Seth Lugo was also considered for the role, but he is too important to the Mets’ bullpen to remove him from that role.
Gsellman came up through the Mets’ ranks as a starting pitcher. He even started games during his first two seasons in Flushing.
In 2017, Gsellman pitched 25 games, starting 22 of them. He covered a total of 119.2 frames, with a 6.17 K/9 and a 3.16 BB/9. His ERA wasn’t particularly impressive at 5.19, and he had a 4.89 FIP.
So far in the 2020 season, he has pitched a clean inning with two strikeouts in his lone appearance.
Gsellman is currently throwing almost three miles per hour harder than he was three years ago, but it remains to be seen how the stuff translates this time around. The New York Mets need him to perform adequately, at least in the short term.