In advance of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Miami Marlins, the Mets -- returning to action for the first time since their season was paused last Thursday due to the coronavirus -- laid out their upcoming rotation as they begin a stretch of nine games in six days.
Rick Porcello will start Game 1 on Tuesday, followed by Seth Lugo (making his first start since 2018) in Game 2.
Jacob deGrom will pitch on Wednesday, meaning that instead of him being available to pitch during Tuesday's doubleheader and Sunday's doubleheader against the Yankees, he'll pitch just one of of the next nine games.
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Manager Luis Rojas explained Tuesday that deGrom needed to get back on the mound on Monday during the team's workout at Citi Field in order to set him up for his next start.
The starting pitching plan beyond Wednesday has not been revealed, but David Peterson and Michael Wacha (both of whom are on the IL) threw bullpen sessions on Monday, with Rojas saying the feedback was good and that a decision on their status will be made in the coming days.
The Mets play Thursday against the Marlins, followed by a doubleheader against the Yankees on Friday, a single game against the Yanks on Saturday, and another doubleheader against them Sunday.
It's fair to believe that Porcello and Lugo will start on Sunday, meaning the Mets still need to figure out starting pitchers for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Options to start include Robert Gsellman, Corey Oswalt, Franklyn Kilome (who would need to be called up from the alternate site, and Steven Matz (who was recently moved to the bullpen).
When Rojas was asked specifically about Matz, he said that he would not be available out of the bullpen for Tuesday's doubleheader.
Going off the above, it would seem the Mets at least want the option to use Matz as a starter (or "bulk inning" guy as GM Brodie Van Wagenen calls it) for one of their upcoming games.