The New York Mets’ rotation is in shambles

New York Mets, Rick Porcello
Feb 12, 2020; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Rick Porcello (22) warms-up during the spring training workout. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets’ starting rotation got off to an auspicious start of the offseason by signing two hurlers: Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha. There were six starters for five slots: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz and the two newcomers.

The number went down to five when it was announced back in late March that Syndergaard had ligament damage in his pitching elbow, and needed Tommy John surgery. The Mets were down one man (a key piece, while we are at it) and what used to be a position of surplus was now compromised.

Just before the start of the season, Stroman went down with a calf tear in his left leg. He will miss at least a couple of weeks, and the New York Mets’ rotation is already short one man. Corey Oswalt, who was presumed to be the fifth starter, was used in relief on Sunday’s blowout loss to the Atlanta Braves. He was ineffective, allowing five runs (three homers) in four frames.

Porcello’s debut with the Mets was a disaster

To make matters worse, Porcello’s debut with the Mets was awful, as he conceded ten baserunners (seven hits and a couple of walks) in just two innings on the mound, allowing six earned runs and seven in total. He could only fan one batter. DeGrom and Matz had much better debuts to their season, and today is Wacha’s turn. The team badly needs the former St. Louis Cardinals to be at least decent.

David Peterson seems like a logic choice to take over the fifth starter role, but it would seem like the Mets want him to stay a few more days off the active roster so that they can gain an extra year of team control.

Erasmo Ramirez is also an option to fill in on Tuesday, and, as always, the team could opt to turn Seth Lugo back into a starter (they are, as of now, opposed to that idea.)

But make no mistake: the rotation, once viewed as an area of excess in the Mets’ roster, is now in shambles. Will the organization produce one or two additional starters to help them cope with the crucial absences? Will Porcello rebound after a disastrous debut? Will Stroman be back in a couple of weeks? Only time will tell.