Updated Post 8/9

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Terry Collins said he no longer plans to use R.A. Dickey on short rest through the remainder of the season.

Collins intends to use Jeremy Hefner in the rotation if he needs to give a starting pitcher extra rest, but will continue to use Dickey in his normal turn through the rotation.

Updated Post 8/3

Terry Collins told reporters before the game that he does not intend to use R.A. Dickey on short rest through the next couple turns in the rotation because of how the schedule works out with off days. But he did say they will likely be making that adjustment soon to give the other pitchers five days rest instead of four and using Dickey to fill in the gaps.

Collins said he won’t give any starters more than five days rest and it that were to happen, then that pitcher could just get skipped in the rotation and be used out of the bullpen temporarily.

Looks like they are going through with this…

Updated by HoJo

Original Post 8/2

Before yesterday’s game, Mets manager Terry Collins announced that he would be using R.A. Dickey on short rest at some point during the remainder of the season.

He didn’t say exactly when, but he said it would happen.

The idea of pitching Dickey on short rest came about based on his great success this year, his ability to bounce back quickly between starts and the fact that the Mets have had injuries to their starting rotation.

Collins finally gave in to all the speculation. Let’s see how short rest will affect Dickey, as he attempts to become the first Mets pitcher since Frank Viola in 1990 to win 20 games.

What do we all think of Collins’ decision to start Dickey on short rest?

There are of course pros and cons to each side. Short rest would give Dickey more starts in his quest for 20 wins as well as give injury-prone pitchers Chris Young and Johan Santana (when he returns from the disabled list) extra rest between starts.

However, he would also have an increased workload — something, even at age 37, that he hasn’t experienced in the big leagues.

I’m a proponent of short rest for Dickey. He’s having a miracle season, and I’d like to see him get the opportunity to compete for a Cy Young. The more times he’s out there, the better chance he’ll have to rack up victories.

Before we completely give up on the season, the Mets are a hot streak away from getting right back in the race. With Dickey going every fourth day, it increases the team’s chances of winning.

I’m interested to see how this plays out. As long as the team is able notice signs of fatigue before they affect Dickey long-term, short rest it is!

Please voice your thoughts below.