Robert GsellmanThe first start as a member of the Mets’ rotation this week lasted only two innings, as the right-hander still extends to the opening of the year in the bullpen. But manager Luis Rojas this week expressed confidence that the referee “could have some stamina for us” and “give us this depth to start a game” as he built up (link via Anthony DiComo of MLB.com). The 27-year-old Gsellman said he “felt like a little kid again” when preparing for his first start since 2017, and DiComo notes that a move back into the rotation has long been something Gsellman had hoped for . Right Seth Lugohas also expressed interest in returning to a starting role, but the Mets are more reluctant to change his role, given the resounding success he has enjoyed in recent years as a late midfielder. Lugo has a career 2.50 ERA out of the ‘pin and has put out 28.3 percent of the hitters he has in a relief role. Those numbers double to 4.06 and 19.2 percent, respectively, in an almost equal sample of innings as a starter.
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- Amed Rosario has trouble starting the season while top prospect Andres Gimenez has flourished in his early looks at shortstop. However, Rojas revealed yesterday that Rosario is still the starting point of the team (link via David Lennon of Newsday). Rosario was out of action because of what the Mets called a stomach illness, but Rojas acknowledged after the game that the team also “seeks to get him back on track” on the plate. Rosario beats .207 / .207 / .310 to Gimenez’s .286 / .327 / .388. Gimenez has also played sharp defense and is tied for the MLB lead with five steals, but for now it looks like he will continue to lock in the diamond. That could mean a move back to second base if Rosario is good enough to return to the lineup, but a change of guard on shortstop does not sound difficult yet. Gimenez, 20, is generally considered to be among MLB’s top 100 prospects for the past few seasons, though Rosario himself was considered an elite prospect before his own promotion to the Majors.
- Loftshandiger David Peterson went to the 74 pitches of yesterday and revealed he was dealing with some shoulder fatigue (link via Mike Puma of the New York Post). Peterson, the Mets pick of the first round in 2017, had held the Nationals to a run one hit and a few walks through five strong innings. He said after the game that he did not worry about his shoulder problem. The Mets could not give themselves any further hits to their rotation, in particular a loss of Peterson, who has been a godsend in the absence of Noah Syndergaard en Marcus Stroman. Through his first four MLB starts this year, Peterson has a 2.91 ERA and 3.96 FIP with a 17 to 8 K / BB ratio and just two homers allowed in 21 2/3 innings.
