The Mets are basically starting back from square one in terms of deciphering just how their pitching staff will work.
Following a five-day layoff after two members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19, the Mets got the green light to resume activities on Monday with their first games coming on Tuesday night in a doubleheader against the Miami Marlins.
The problem is, there wasn’t much of an idea as to who would be toeing the rubber for New York upon its return to play.
“A little to-be-determined at this point,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said on Monday. “Our guys weren’t able to work out at the facility. We were a little bit back into the unknown where each player had a little different level of resources available. We’re going to have a better idea where we have very structured, staggered workouts.”
Jacob deGrom is expected to get the ball during one of the Mets’ seven-inning games during Tuesday’s doubleheader. The two-time defending NL Cy Young Award winner hasn’t pitched since Aug. 19 against these very same Marlins, where he went six innings of scoreless baseball while allowing just four hits while striking out seven.
The Mets don’t have a starting pitcher listed for each of their next five games.
Expect a quiet trade deadline
With the MLB trade deadline coming in just one week (Aug. 31), the Mets aren’t going to have an overly-aggressive time on the market, according to Van Wagenen. It’ll be a change of pace compared to last season when he brought on Marcus Stroman for prospects.
He cited the unique market that comes with MLB’s shortened season while focusing on his internal depth — or returning depth — instead.
“We have a number of players that could be trade-deadline acquisitions for us,” Van Wagenen said, citing the impending returns of pitchers Michael Wacha and David Peterson along with center fielder, Jake Marisnick.
Despite the difficult start to their season both on and off the field, the Mets entered Monday night just one game back of a playoff spot within MLB’s expanded postseason format for this season.
