Just Mets

With the Mets playing their first of 20 consecutive games tonight in Philadelphia, it has seemed all but certain the Mets will use a spot starter at least once during this stretch, perhaps on May 20 as reported by Mike Puma of the New York Post.

And, that spot start could come as soon as sometime during the next week.

Terry Collins told reporters in Philadelphia this afternoon, one of the starting pitchers has a physical problem, which could force the Mets to need another starting pitcher in this turn through the rotation.

Collins would not say who is having the problem or what the problem is, nor did he say who might get the start in place of whoever is dealing with the injury.

This is all pretty vague, but who gets the start could depend a lot on who is injured. But according to Kristie Ackert of the Daily News, Dillon Gee might need some extra time off – he is scheduled to start on Sunday in Philadelphia.

Furthermore, Dan Warthen told Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal Gee has a minor groin issue which could require a few extra days of rest.

If that’s the case, Steven Matz would be a logical choice to replace Gee in the rotation if they don’t simply reshuffle their starters. In fact, Marc Carig of Newsday said that’s the likely possibility. They could opt to pitch Bartolo Colon on Sunday, Jacob deGrom on Monday, and maybe bump Gee to Tuesday or use Carlos Torres as a spot starter instead.

For what it’s worth, Matz is no longer listed among the scheduled starters for Las Vegas this weekend, which would make sense in the event the Mets choose to go that route. He last pitched on Tuesday, so Sunday would be his regular turn to pitch.

Original Post, 4:29 PM, update, 5:15 PM, 5:22 PM