Shortly after tossing 2.1 impressive innings during the Mets' intrasquad game on Wednesday at Citi Field, left-handed pitching prospect David Peterson -- who has yet to make his big league debut -- said he's ready when needed.
"I'm ready when that call comes in," he told reporters during a Zoom call.
The 24-year-old Peterson, who had a 4.19 ERA and 1.34 WHIP while striking out 122 batters in 116 innings (24 starts) in 2019 for Double-A Binghamton, has yet to pitch above that level.
But the Mets' first-round draft pick (20th overall) from 2017 is arguably one of the Mets' best rotation options should they need to dip into their depth. And that could happen early if Jacob deGrom -- who got good news Wednesday after an MRI on his back -- misses the start of the season.
In addition to Peterson, other likely rotation options are Walker Lockett and Corey Oswalt (who have struggled in limited big league action) and fellow prospect Kevin Smith, who is likelier lower on the depth chart than Peterson.
Peterson, who kept throwing during the shutdown said he felt "ready and built up" by the time he reported to Summer Camp as part of the Mets' 60-man player pool.
Since the start of camp, Peterson has been working with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner on "polishing things up" and trying to make his curve a "really solid fourth pitch."
Peterson, who profiles as a back of the rotation starter who could pitch in the middle of a big league rotation if he reaches his ceiling, has a future with the Mets. The only question now is whether it will happen this summer or in 2021.