Where In The World Is Adam Ottavino?

What’s the point of having high-leverage relievers if you’re not going to use them in those situations?

The New York Mets found themselves in one of those instances Monday night in Philadelphia. Up 4-0 in the eighth inning, the Philadelphia Phillies rallied for five runs in the bottom of the frame and pull ahead of the Mets 5-4. New York used three relievers in the eighth, but their best one available was sitting in the bullpen.

Where in the world was Adam Ottavino?

Ottavino, the right-handed reliever the Mets signed from Boston this offseason is used to pitching in high leverage situations. He excelled in that position for the Red Sox in 2021. Ottavino threw in 47 high-leverage situations last season, holding batters to a .225/.321/.300 slash line.

Again, on a night when you don’t have Edwin Diaz and Ottavino hasn’t pitched since Saturday (needing 11 pitches for two outs), where is he?

Instead, the manager who’s appeared in over 3,000 games opted for Trevor May, Joely Rodriguez, and Seth Lugo in the eighth.

May threw a scoreless seventh inning. He returned to start the eighth inning, where he walked the first batter Alec Bohm. On the final pitch of the at-bat he was in visible pain, wincing as a ball sailed high. May was removed and later diagnosed with arm fatigue. He’ll receive an MRI.

May hasn’t recorded more than three outs in a game since the 2020 season. He was never used in multi-inning situations last season on the Mets.

The Mets latest addition Rodriguez came in. A lefty specialist, Rodriguez allowed a single to the switch-hitting Johan Camargo, then lefty Kyle Schwarber grounded out, he allowed a two-run home run to the right-handed JT Realmuto and finished his outing by striking out the left-handed Bryce Harper.

None of these results should ultimately be surprising. Lefties hit .203/.288/.271 against Rodriguez last season. Righties hit .339/.380/.446. With the three-batter minimum, the trade that sent Miguel Castro away for him becomes a head-scratcher in these situations. (Last season Castro was .198/.313/.270 vs. lefties and .180/.327/.328 vs. righties)

Lugo finished the inning. He walked Nick Castellanos and allowed back-to-back doubles to Rhys Hoskins and Didi Gregorius. Hoskins was the winning run. Jean Segura struck out to end the inning.

Showalter still has the utmost confidence in Lugo.

“He’s been a really good pitcher for a long time, it wasn’t his night,” Showalter said. “He’s gonna be a good pitcher for us this season.”

The Phillies – rubbing salt into the wound – had two former Mets waiting to take down the New York hitters in the top of the ninth. Brad Hand retired the side but Jeurys Familia was ready in the pen if needed. It’s only game five but maybe the Mets should’ve thought longer about retaining one of them. Especially a lefty like Hand who had a 2.70 ERA in 16 games for the Mets in 2021.

The questions now come toward Showalter and whether he can manage a modern-day bullpen. Two games in a row, questionable decisions were made by the manager that resulted in Mets losses. Sunday, Showalter put Trevor Williams in during the late innings purely because he wanted to get him some work like it’s spring training and not because it made the most sense.

The Mets aren’t panicking but Showalter’s bullpen usage will need to be monitored closely as the season gets underway.

“This one hurts, the good thing is we still have a chance to take away this hurt tomorrow,” Showalter said.