Struggling starter Adrian Houser, whose ERA sits at 8.16 after six starts, is going to miss his next turn in the rotation, manager Carlos Mendoza said before tonight’s game.
“We talked to Houser,” Mendoza said when asked if the team would go to a six-man rotation with Christian Scott getting called up from the minors to start tomorrow. “For this next time through, he’s going to be in the pen.”
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Mendoza said Houser could see relief action as early as Monday since he pitched on Thursday, when he gave up four runs on four hits and four walks in a no decision against the Chicago Cubs.
A decision on whether or not Mets will go to a six-man rotation should come after the team’s May 9 off day. The team has 13 consecutive games without an off day starting on May 10.
“That’s when we have to decide,” Mendoza said. “We will make that decision when we have to make that decision.”
When asked how Houser took the news, Mendoza praised his professionalism and expressed confidence in his ability to return to form.
“Fine,” Mendoza said. “He’s such a professional. You know he’s been there before. And right now, he’s going through it. But he’s working really hard to his credit. We are pretty confident that he’ll get back to the pitcher we know he’s capable of being. So, he respected it and back to work.”
Houser, 31, is 0-3 with a 1.84 WHIP. He has given up 26 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings while striking out 16 and walking 20.
