Despite coming off a rocky start on Saturday, right-hander Logan Verrett will make his next scheduled start against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field this weekend.
“We think he’s the best match up for San Diego,” Terry Collins told reporters.
After Verrett’s start against the Tigers in Detroit, Collins tossed out the possibility that he would be replaced in the rotation. Among the considerations were newly acquired Jon Niese or farmhands Gabriel Ynoa and Robert Gsellman.
Since replacing Matt Harvey in the rotation, Verrett is 1-5 with a 5.61 ERA, while allowing 48 baserunners in 33.0 innings.
Collins believes Verrett is the best matchup against the Padres, despite his recent struggles. In his only appearance against the Padres, Verrett faced nine batters and allowed three hits and a run.
Original Report – Aug 7
After struggling in last night’s game against the Tigers, Logan Verrett‘s spot in the rotation is in jeopardy. Verrett allowed six runs and seven hits in 3.2 innings as the Mets were handed their second consecutive loss.
After the game, Terry Collins didn’t sound pleased with Verrett’s performance and he told reporters the team is looking at their alternatives.
“I just talked to Sandy [Alderson] about something, and we’re going to certainly take a look at some options,” Collins said. “We’ve certainly got to pitch better in that spot.” (Adam Rubin, ESPN NY)
One option is moving Jon Niese into the rotation and Verrett back into the bullpen.
Niese, who was recently reacquired from Pittsburgh, pitched 2.1 effective innings in relief of Verrett last night. While Niese allowed one inherited runner to score, no earned runs were charged against him and he struck out two batters while allowing three hits.
Niese has certainly been through his own struggles this year, but he’s had past success in the Mets’ rotation. For his career, Niese is 69-67 as a starter with a 4.00 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.
He stringed together three solid seasons from 2012 to 2014 as he posted a 3.48 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in this span. He was also named the team’s opening day starter in 2013 after his career best season in 2012 when he won 13 games with a 3.40 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 190 innings.
While Niese has declined since those days, it’s possible he could rekindle some of that success reuniting with his old team and pitching coach Dan Warthen. Even though he ended his first tenure in New York on a sour note, he spent a decade in this organization and it’s where he’s had all of his success.
The Mets drafted Niese out of high school in the 7th round of the 2005 draft.
Meanwhile, Verrett doesn’t have a long track record, and it’s looking like MLB hitters have figured him out.
Since the month of May, Verrett has a 5.93 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. This poor stretch has raised his ERA form 0.52 to 4.66.
And in his six starts since replacing Matt Harvey in the rotation, Verrett ‘s ERA stands at 5.16. Additionally, Verrett’s strikeout to walk rate is also a concern as he’s struck out only 55 batters and walked 37 in 82 innings pitched this season.
It’s possible Verrett is better suited for the pen as he has a 3.18 ERA out of relief compared to an ERA well above four as a starter.
While he could still have some value out of the bullpen, it’s becoming clear the Mets cannot rely on him as the 5th man in the rotation going forward.
