New York Mets starting pitcher Tylor Megill has rejoined the team after finishing his rehab from a right shoulder strain that he suffered in his first start of the season on March 31. He is expected to be activated by the team and make a start either Sunday against the Marlins or Monday against the Guardians.
Upon his return, Megill will likely replace in the rotation Joey Lucchesi, who was called up to start Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia. After allowing just one run through the first four innings, everything fell apart for Lucchesi in the fifth, allowing four runs in the inning, with the only out he recorded coming on a runner trying to score on an extra-base hit.
Assuming Lucchesi is the odd man out, the Mets starting rotation will consist of Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, Christian Scott, Jose Quintana and Megill. Even when ace Kodai Senga returns to the team from his shoulder strain, the Mets will likely continue with a six-man rotation.
Also waiting in the wings is lefty David Peterson, who is rehabbing from a hip injury. Tuesday night, while pitching for Double-A Binghamton, Peterson struck out eight batters in 5 2/3 innings. In 14 rehab innings for Binghamton and Low-A St. Lucie, Peterson has thrown 14 scoreless innings. In past seasons, the Mets have used Peterson as both a starter and reliever.
The Mets are hopeful that Megill can finally be consistent and healthy upon his return. Since first coming up to the majors in 2021, he has shown flashes off dominance, followed by periods of futility. Health has also been a constant issue throughout his career.
Megill pitched very well during his four rehab starts in the minors, posting a 0.64 E.R.A. across 14 innings, with 23 strikeouts and just one walk. The Mets could benefit if Megill can continue throwing strikes, as the team has allowed the most walks in MLB so far this season, with 192 free passes across 378 innings.
Megill had previously suffered a shoulder strain in 2022 that caused him to miss three months. That same season, he also missed another month due to right biceps inflammation. After posting a 2.43 E.R.A. over his first six starts that season, Megill allowed eight runs in 1.1 innings in his last start before his first I.L. stint that season.
Peterson, like Megill, has shown flashes of brilliance, as well as stretches of mediocrity throughout his MLB career. He was one of the few reliable arms for the Mets in the shortened 2020 season, going 6-2 with a 3.44 E.R.A. He also contributed to the 2022 team’s success, going 7-5 with a 3.83 E.R.A. across 28 games, with 19 coming as a starter and nine as a reliever. However, he struggled mightily in 2021 and 2023, posting a 5.54 and 5.03 E.R.A. in those seasons. With Peterson on track to return to the team in June, the Mets are hopeful that he too can show consistent success in the majors.
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