Mets manager Luis Rojas said Monday that the team still hasn't decided who will start Tuesday night's game against the Red Sox in Boston, nor would he mention specific candidates to make the start, but he revealed one in another way.
Speaking on a Zoom call with reporters, Rojas said that prospect David Peterson and reliever Daniel Zamora had been added to the team's taxi squad for their series in Boston.
That does not mean Peterson will definitely be getting the ball on Tuesday night in what would be his first major league start, but it certainly gives the Mets the option to easily go that route.
"This kid, just great demeanor," Rojas said about Peterson. "He presents as that guy that wants to compete, wants to get you out. He's always searching, he's always asking questions. I like his pitchability as far as repertoire and also controlling the running game (and) fielding his position. There's just a good package there. Great guy to have in the pool, great guy to have in the taxi squad for any strategy or any reason that may come in."
Peterson, who has yet to pitch above Double-A, has seen an uptick in fastball velocity since last season, when he had a 4.19 ERA (3.19 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 122 strikeouts in 116 innings (24 starts) for Binghamton.
The Mets' first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2017 MLB Draft, Peterson profiles as a back of the rotation starter, and there is a legitimate chance he could become a mainstay there for New York.
If the Mets don't turn to Peterson for Tuesday night's start (there are service time and 40-man roster considerations to take into account) their other options could include using Seth Lugo as an opener (though Rojas has given no indication they would do it), call up someone else from the player pool (Franklyn Kilome is an option), or have a bullpen game that doesn't involve Lugo starting.
Looking big picture, though, Peterson is arguably the Mets' best option to hold down a rotation spot while Marcus Stroman (calf tear) is out.
BASHLOR CALLED UP
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