Kyle Dowdy was looking like he was going to have to be offered back to the Cleveland Indians for much of Spring Training as, despite his increase in velocity, he had a 12.46 ERA while walking four batters and only striking out one in 3 1/3 innings across four appearances.
Dowdy, 26, made a lasting impression today, though, tossing almost as many innings against the Washington Nationals as he allowed no runs, three hits, and two walks while striking out two batters over three innings of work today.
That helped lower his spring ERA to 7.36 which, while still unimpressive overall, is more than five runs lesser on average.
Now, is this the type of performance that earns him an Opening Day job? No, but it does give him a shot again to make the team especially considering the fact that Hector Santiago imploded in 2/3 of an inning yesterday against the same team, allowing six runs and seven hits while striking out one batter.
However, Dowdy spoke with reporters after the game and intimated that he isn’t really worried about if he will make the team or not. That being said, he really would love to be a part of it, citing that he thinks this team is going to be special in 2019
“Not really, honestly it’s kind of peaceful because you can just go after it and let the chips fall. I truly think this is a World Series caliber team, it has great chemistry, and I would like to be a part of it.”
The Mets will have to decide by Opening Day (March 28) whether or not they will add him to the major league roster or offer him back to the Cleveland Indians given his status as a Rule V Draft Pick.
In all likelihood, the Mets will try to get him in at least a couple more games in order to get a proper assessment of whether or not today’s performance was merely a fluke or what he really is capable of doing in the majors.
Below are some more soundbites from Kyle Dowdy as recorded by MMO’s own Michael Mayer after the game.
