Mets Stand by David Peterson Despite Rough Outing Against Diamondbacks

In a challenging outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, David Peterson allowed five runs in the first two innings, contributing to the New York Mets’ 7-2 loss. Despite this setback, the Mets’ starting rotation has generally instilled confidence this season, ranking among the top five teams in strikeouts. With Nolan McLean emerging as a potential ace and Kodai Senga showcasing improved power, the rotation’s overall performance remains solid, even with Freddy Peralta not yet at his peak.

Peterson’s struggles were evident as he faced a barrage of hits in a four-run second inning, though he managed to retire 11 of the last 12 batters he faced. His inconsistency has been a recurring theme; since a promising start where he pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, he has allowed 10 runs over his last 9.1 innings, resulting in a 6.14 ERA. However, two subpar starts are too small a sample size to prompt a change for a pitcher who was an All-Star last season.

Manager Mendoza confirmed after the game that there are no immediate plans to adjust the rotation, stating, “As I’m sitting here right now, no.” The reasons behind Peterson’s struggles are under discussion, with Mendoza suggesting that the left-hander is having difficulty executing pitches against right-handed hitters, leaving them vulnerable.

Peterson himself feels that the issue lies more in pitch selection than execution. “I don’t think we’ve gone there enough,” he remarked, implying that over-reliance on his sinker and change-up has allowed hitters to anticipate his pitches.

Looking ahead, Peterson is likely to remain in the rotation as there are currently no pressing candidates to replace him. Sean Manaea, who is attempting to regain his velocity, pitched four innings of two-run ball in relief of Peterson but has not yet shown enough to reclaim a starting spot. Mendoza noted that Manaea appeared more aggressive on the mound, suggesting a positive trend.

While there were initial discussions about potentially reintegrating Manaea into the rotation, Mendoza emphasized the importance of stability at this juncture, stating, “We wanted to be flexible… but right now, this is where we’re at.”

Other potential rotation options have also faced challenges. Christian Scott, who had a strong spring, allowed six earned runs in his first Triple-A outing, while Jonah Tong struggled in his second outing. It’s clear that two or three starts do not define a season, but how Peterson responds to this adversity will be crucial as the Mets navigate the upcoming weeks.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.