-Update-
According to multiple reports, Wilmer Font will now be starting for the Mets tonight against the Nationals. Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports notes that as of this weekend the Mets planned on starting Gagnon, but decided to change it up this afternoon.
Font has struggled in his two starts with the Mets thus far. His last time out in Washington he was shellacked for five runs on six hits over 2.1 innings of work.
-Original-
According to Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com, righty Drew Gagnon will make his first start of the season tonight in the New York Mets series opener against the Washington Nationals.
This will be the second start of the 28-year old’s big league career. He made his first career start with the Mets last season, and lasted just 4.2 innings after throwing 99 pitches and allowing six runs on seven hits.
The Mets may need to lean on their bullpen heavily in this one, as Gagnon’s last start occurred back on April 23 with Triple-A Syracuse. Since that start, he has not pitched more than 2.2 innings or thrown more than 26 pitches in an outing.
Though it is a small sample size, Gagnon has pitched pretty well at the big league level this season. In his first stint, he allowed five runs in mop-up duty of a 14-3 loss to the Phillies. However, since then he has tossed 5.2 scoreless innings and struck out four batters.
Prior to being recalled, Gagnon was 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 14 strike outs over three starts for Triple-A Syracuse. Of the Mets starting rotation depth, Gagnon has been most impressive, it will be interesting to see what he will do with this opportunity.
