The New York Mets will get back a valuable addition to their pitching ranks just in time for their pivotal three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this week.
David Peterson nearing his return to the mound
Mets lefty David Peterson has steadily progressed from a torn labrum that has kept him out for the entire 2024 season so far and will make his season debut on Wednesday. Per Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post, the California native had this to say on Sunday about how he feels ahead of his anticipated start:
“It’s a night-and-day difference how the hip feels,” Peterson said. “It feels completely different.”
“Having good range of motion in the hip and being able to move the right way [is huge]. Some other things [in my delivery] kind of subsequently got cleaned up and feel better than they did before. I’m not working as hard to try to protect everything since the hip is doing what it’s supposed to now.”
David Peterson’s numbers in his last two seasons for the Mets
When last seen in 2023, Peterson posted a 5.03 ERA, a 1.568 WHIP, and 128 strikeouts across 111 innings pitched. His career year came in 2022, where he sported a 7-5 record along with 126 strikeouts behind a 3.83 ERA in 105.2 innings of work. The Mets are hoping that Peterson will look like the player they saw in 2022 rather than 2023 beginning with his first start on Wednesday.
Peterson will get his chance to carve out a role in a crowded Mets pitching rotation
Currently, Luis Severino and Sean Manaea are excelling as the No. 1 and No. 2 options in the lineup with ace Kodai Senga gearing up for a return from his shoulder injury in June. Christian Scott has also looked good in four games after being called up from Triple-A Syracuse this spring.
However, Peterson can add his name to that list by showing command against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He will take the struggling Adrian Houser’s place in the rotation and could find favor over Jose Quintana, who is having a forgettable season.