Chris Flexen should be working through his kinks in the minors, but instead he’s doing it at the major league level.
The right-hander probably wouldn’t be here yet if it weren’t for all the injuries the Mets have suffered, so rough outings are to be expected.
“[This season] is going to help tremendously, just getting the experience alone,” Flexen said. “Seeing the lifestyle and how everything works on and off the field.”
In the first leg of Monday’s double dip with the Braves, Flexen was cruising through the first three innings before Ozzie Albies took him deep in the fourth.
The rookie made it through the fifth, but in the sixth he loaded the bases before hitting the showers.
Josh Smoker came on in relief and allowed his three inherited runners to score. When all was said and done, Flexen went five innings, allowing four runs on three hits while walking three and striking out four.
Flexen had been moved to the bullpen briefly where he turned in some good appearances. He allowed just one run in five innings pitched, good for a 1.80 ERA.
“He’s been throwing the ball well out of the pen and I think he had some confidence coming into today’s game,” Collins said. “He went out and pitched very well.”
The Mets could muster up just two runs on a Tomas Nido double in the seventh, but Atlanta answered back with four more, sailing on to a 9-2 victory.
For Nido, the catcher has three RBI in just six major league at-bats. Juan Lagares also went 3-for-3 out of the seven hole and has three multi-hit games in his last four starts.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said that even with all the injuries, it has created an opportunity for players like Flexen to get some experience.
“I do think one of the silver linings of the injures we’ve suffered this year is we have gotten to see other starting pitchers. Some have done reasonably well, some have not,” Alderson said last week. “But I don’t think there’s anyone we’ve seen that doesn’t have major-league potential. Might be a little early for them, there were a couple of guys that perhaps wouldn’t be here but for the injuries, but we got to see them.”
Flexen will look to finish his season strong, whether he gets another start or returns to the bullpen.
