With a doubleheader scheduled for Monday in Miami, the New York Mets have tabbed 25-year-old right-hander Walker Lockett as the team’s starting pitcher in the second game of the twin bill.
Lockett was acquired from Cleveland in the trade that sent backstop Kevin Plawecki to the Tribe this past offseason but hasn’t shown much at the major-league level just yet.
Over three starts with the Mets (12.2 innings), the righty’s allowed 11 earned runs (7.82 ERA) with nine strikeouts and three walks. Though, through nine appearances (eight starts; 47 innings) in the offense-happy International League with Triple-A Syracuse, Lockett has a 3.83 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 11 walks.
His curve’s played well with the big club, inducing a .083 batting average and .250 slugging percentage against with a 44.4% swinging-strike rate (Baseball Savant) over 45 offerings.
Jacob deGrom will take the hill for the Mets versus Sandy Alcantara and the Marlins in the first game. Miami’s starter in the night-cap has not been announced as of yet.
We’ll keep you updated with any new information.
