INTO THE VOID
Peterson likely part of rotation as injuries take toll on Mets pitchers
PORT ST. LUCIE — Carlos Carrasco is out, David Peterson is likely in and one other spot in the Mets’ rotation remains unsettled.
A day after Carrasco was diagnosed with what the Mets are calling a Grade 1 right-hamstring tear, manager Luis Rojas on Friday began the reassessment of the pitching staff and said left-hander Peterson, who was previously competing for a spot, likely has a job. Beyond that, the Mets could go in a variety of directions for the fifth spot, including using an opener.
“You feel that Petey is a guy that will probably be included in the rotation before a number of guys that are part of the competition,” Rojas said, referring to Peterson — who was in a camp battle with Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto, among others, before Carrasco’s injury. “We feel that Petey is going to be part of our rotation thinking and we just keep looking on the other guys.”
Peterson went 6-2 with a 3.44 ERA in 10 appearances last season as a rookie. He would slot behind Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman and Taijuan Walker to begin the season, giving the Mets four known quantities.
Rojas indicated the Mets are awaiting a timetable on Carrasco, but a source previously said the right-hander, who will turn 34 on Sunday, will likely be sidelined at least 6-8 weeks. Carrasco had just resumed throwing live batting practice after a shutdown the previous week for elbow discomfort. The hamstring injury occurred during sprints.
“It’s tough, especially the way it happened,” Walker said. “He was feeling good. Running and tweaked a hamstring, it’s definitely a blow, but he’s a veteran. He’ll bounce back quick and we’ll just have to pick him up.”
It leaves the Mets needing to fill in for Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard (who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and will remain sidelined into at least June). Seth Lugo, who can pitch from the rotation or bullpen, underwent surgery in February to remove a bone spur from his elbow and likely won’t begin throwing again until at least April.
Beyond Lucchesi and Yamamoto, starting pitchers who arrived in offseason trades, the Mets have Jerad Eickhoff and Mike Montgomery in camp on minor league contracts. Rojas also mentioned Corey Oswalt, who allowed five earned runs on five hits over 2 2/3 innings in the Mets’ 8-5 exhibition victory over the Cardinals on Friday.
“The one thing I can share is our bullpen is something we can think of what we’re going to do, including when you think about who is going to be our fifth starter, what kind of strategy we’re going to do,” Rojas said.
Such a tactic would involve using an opener to pitch early in the game before turning it over to the bullpen.
“There’s just a lot of different strategies you think of,” Rojas said. “We have just got to sit down and think of potential roles and people that are stretched out and just what we think is going to be the best competitive position from a pitching standpoint.”
Rojas said his pitchers understand there are tough decisions ahead.
“The team goal is the most important thing,” Rojas said.
“We all want to win and we’re all connected that way. They know they are competing. Somebody is not going to make the team. What do you do about that? You just keep working.”