The Mets suffered a huge blow to the starting rotation when it was learned that Mike Pelfrey would be out for the remainder of the season (and a good chunk of next season) due to a partial tear of his UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) in his pitching elbow. Because of the tear, Pelfrey is now having Tommy John Surgery and will require a full year to recover before beginning rehab.
With Pelfrey out, the Mets called up Chris Schwinden to replace him in the Mets rotation. Schwinden is a good call-up for a temporary role in the rotation, but I feel as though he may not be the answer in the long-term. Last night, once Rockies hitters got a second and third look at him, they touched him up pretty good,
During the broadcast last night, Gary Cohen talked about the possibility of calling up top prospects Matt Harvey or Jeurys Familia to fill Pelfrey’s spot in the rotation. But I don’t see the Mets calling upon any of the top prospects until September and that’s assuming they prove to be up for the task.
The Mets have taken their time developing these pitchers and they will be up with the big-club soon enough, but there is no way that the team would simply rush them now in an act of desperation.
One option the Mets should consider is Chris Young.
The Mets right-hander is currently rehabbing in Florida with the Single-A St. Lucie Mets and many believe that he will become available to pitch by the end of May or early June.
Young could bring a steady veteran presence to the rotation if he can return to the form we saw early last season before the injury. He may soon be ready to give the Mets some much-needed quality starts, and together with Santana, Niese and Dickey, could give the Mets a pretty solid top four as they head into the dog days of summer and try to stay in the thick of things.
