If you thought that Zack Wheeler rejoining the rotation upon his return in a couple of weeks was a slam dunk… Think again.
Mets manager Terry Collins is having some second thoughts about it, and honestly I can’t blame him. This won’t be an easy decision.
“When that time comes, when Zack Wheeler’s ready to be a Major League pitcher again, there’ll be a pretty hefty discussion of what’s going to be best for us,” Collins told reporters this weekend. (MLB.com)
While the plan all along was to sign Bartolo Colon as a stopgap for the rotation until Wheeler returned around July 1, and then shift the veteran righty to the bullpen, his performance thus far certainly gives one pause. “He’s pitched absolutely great,” said Collins.
Colon, 43, hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down and has been one of the most consistent performers in the rotation. In 13 starts this season , he is 6-3 with a 3.01 ERA, a 1.102 WHIP and he boasts one of the league’s best walk rates at 1.45. His 80 2/3 innings pitched are second on the team, behind Noah Syndergaard.
Asked if it’s possible the Mets could turn to a six-man rotation as they did on two occasions last season, Collins was non-committal. “I can’t tell you, because we’re not even close. I don’t know what it’s going to look like.”
If the Mets do decide to put Colon in the pen, there’s the comfort in knowing that he did very well in that role last season. He pitched successfully out of the bullpen during postseason when he made seven appearances and posted a 2.08 ERA in 8 2/3 innings.
About the only thing that has met and exceeded expectations for the Mets this season, has been the starting rotation – which has the second best ERA in the majors.
With Wheeler at this point a virtual unknown factor, and the team struggling to score runs, will the Mets risk tinkering with the one thing that has gone right for them this season?
It’s quite the conundrum. How do you think the Mets should play it?
