Robert Gsellman’s first start as a member of the Mets’ rotation this week lasted just two innings, as the right-hander is still getting stretched out after opening the year in the bullpen. But manager Luis Rojas expressed confidence this week that the righty can “have some stamina for us” and “give us that depth to start a game” as he builds up (link via MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo). The 27-year-old Gsellman said he “felt like a little kid again” as he prepped for his first start since 2017, and DiComo notes that a move back into the rotation has long been something for which Gsellman has hoped. Righty Seth Lugo, too, has expressed interest in getting back into a starter’s role, but the Mets are more reluctant to alter his role given the resounding success he’s enjoyed as a late-inning weapon in recent years. Lugo has a career 2.50 ERA out of the ’pen and has punched out 28.3 percent of the hitters he’s faced in a relief role. Those numbers dip to 4.06 and 19.2 percent, respectively, in a nearly equal sample of innings as a starter.
More on the Mets…
- Amed Rosario has struggled to begin the season while top prospect Andres Gimenez has thrived in his early looks at shortstop. However, Rojas told reporters yesterday that Rosario is still the team’s starting shortstop (link via Newsday’s David Lennon). Rosario was out of action due to what the Mets termed as a stomach illness, but Rojas acknowledged after the game that the team is also “looking to get him back on track” at the plate. Rosario is hitting .207/.207/.310 to Gimenez’s .286/.327/.388. Gimenez has also played sharp defense and is tied for the MLB lead with five steals, but for now, it seems as though he’ll continue to slot in around the diamond. That could mean a move back to second base once Rosario is well enough to return to the lineup, but a changing of the guard at shortstop still doesn’t sound imminent. Gimenez, 20, has been generally considered to be among MLB’s top 100 prospects for the past couple of seasons, although Rosario himself was regarded as an elite prospect prior to his own ascension to the Majors.
- Left-hander David Peterson exited yesterday’s outing after just 74 pitches and revealed that he’s dealing with some shoulder fatigue (link via Mike Puma of the New York Post). Peterson, the Mets’ first-round pick back in 2017, had held the Nationals to a run one hit and a pair of walks through five strong innings. He said after the game that he’s not concerned with his shoulder issue. The Mets can ill afford any further hits to their rotation, particularly a loss of Peterson, who has been a godsend in the absence of Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman. Through his first four MLB starts this year, Peterson has a 2.91 ERA and 3.96 FIP with a 17-to-8 K/BB ratio and just two homers allowed in 21 2/3 innings.
Who cares about the rotation, that Mets offense is best in the East. lol
Phillies are 2nd in the league in wRC+ (as of yesterday)… they just cant pitch
It’s not even their starting pitching really. It’s an abysmal bullpen.
I know that feel. Mets bullpen brought down the team last year. It gets frustrating man.
I feel like that though starting pitching will be the most in-demand at the Trade Deadline, there’ll be more movement of RPs that can be acquired at cheaper rates to gloss over the issue.
I feel like all 4 teams in the NL East have the same problem. Bad bullpens. I suppose the Braves’ rotation got hit the hardest but they did bring in some relief quantity for this year. The Nats probably have the worst offense of the 4 due to loss of Rendin.
Made my day lol
At least you aren’t wrong. Even when sarcastic.
The difference between Rosario and Gimenez is about four hits.
Who really cares about the 3rd best team in NY
You apparently.
???
So you admit you’re a front runner
Yankee fans always chiming in when they weren’t asked to… Let us Mets fans just have our miserable team without you frontrunners jumping in for no reason
Just wait for new ownership if the Mets could go out and sign Garett Cole or trade for a $300 million contract they would be good too
Any team that could spend over $300 million on Cole could be good. The Orioles would be good if they had the Yankee’s money to spend.
hope the Phillies play the mets well. we always tend to play better against better teams.
Looking forward to seeing BOTH Gimenez and Rosario in the lineup together. The two of them bring some much needed speed to this team.
McNeil 3b
Rosario ss
Gimenez 2b
Alonso 1b
…starts to look real nice for the future.
I don’t mind Conforto in center because he gets good jumps, takes good routes and seems to anticipate quite well. If we had better defenders/more speed in left and right, this team shapes up quickly.
I’m just not sold on Nimmo being an every day outfielder yet.
Love JD Davis’ bat, so he plays either 3b or left.
Team is getting younger quickly, outside of Cano. How much is he really going to play?
Always liked Nido. People forget he was a batting champion in the minors.
I would take a player with a career on-base percentage of .392 anyday in any lineup. They gotta get on base in order to score a run. In your same comment above, you hint you love speed. That indicates you like a lively game instead of waiting for the home run. Put pressure in the pitcher. Putting runners in base is the beat way to out pressure on a pitcher., pure and simple. I’d keep Nimmo in the lineup
Everyday. He’s not bad in center. .
I gotta get a bigger cell phone or smaller fingers. My typing skills are getting embarrassing. “On base” not “in base”. “Best way” not “beat way”. Sorry to all.
Yeah, keep making typos like that and you may be dropped from the active roster and offered back to your pre-Rule 5 Draft team!
Switch Rosario and Giminez at ss and second.
Nimmo is at a 150 OPS+ this year and even factoring in down years his career OPS+ is 129! How the heck is that anything but a very good everyday player?
I’m surprised the Mets didn’t put him in the rotation sooner
I’m no Mets fan, but Gimenez looks pretty darn good to me. And he’s stealing bases. He needs to play everyday.
Cut sewald!!
Guillorme is hitting too, hard to take him out of the lineup.
And pitching well for that matter
I think the Reds and Mets could match up well in a trade.
Reds give
Anthony Desclafani or Tyler Mahle
Freddy Galvis
Mets give
Amed Rosario
Jeurys Familia
It would give the Mets a starter with decent control remaining along with a solid super utility guy. It would give the Reds a shortstop with tons of potntial along with a much needed dependable reliever. It could be a win-win deal for two teams still vying for playoff spots.
Desclafani is only controlled through this year and a free agent after 2020.
Oh I thought he had another year. Oh well, Mahle then. Maybe ratchet Familia down to Justin Turner.
No thanks.
FTFY
“Righty Seth Lugo has expressed interest in getting back into a starter’s role too”
NOT
“Righty Seth Lugo, too, has expressed interest in getting back into a starter’s role”
Do you really care? This isn’t an English composition lesson site, get a life
Actually both are correct. Your misunderstanding is that language is rigid and pure, which it is not.