Just Mets

The Mets implemented a six-man rotation and inserted Dillon Gee on Wednesday in an effort to shave three to four starts off the ledgers of each starting pitcher.

The six-man rotation was intended to last until August. But after Gee’s start on Wednesday, Terry Collins said they could skip Gee’s next start with Monday’s off-day on the horizon. Then on Thursday, Collins said they’re sticking with the six-man rotation for the time being.

However, on Friday afternoon in Phoenix, Collins said the Mets were going to revert back to a five-man rotation and put one of the veterans – either Jon Niese or Dillon Gee – in the bullpen as a long-man.

Collins said Niese is not pitching for his job tonight, as they already know which starter is going to the bullpen.

It’s logical to conclude it will be Gee in the bullpen, although with the way the club is waffling back and forth about the six-man and five-man rotation right now, logic probably cannot be relied upon for the moment.

Collins has said before he didn’t foresee a scenario in which Niese would go to the bullpen, despite his deep struggles. They’ve experimented with Gee in the bullpen already this year, and while he struggled to adapt to the role, it would make sense to try again.

It’s just strange they made such an effort to set this entire six-man rotation up only to tear it down less than 48 hours after starting it up. Presumably, they have their reasons, and this may not be the worst thing in the world, but it just seems odd and awkward right now.

Whatever they decide to do, the club needs to execute a plan and stick with it. What’s gone on with the position players getting hurt is bad enough. Messing around with the pitching staff, the perceived strength of the club, cannot do the team any sort of good.