Dillon Gee takes another loss but hopes to stay
Dillon Gee of the Mets stands on the mound in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Dillon Gee hopes that by next Opening Day, he's still wearing a Mets uniform. But the righthander also knows the numbers crunch that could squeeze him out of the starting rotation.
"I'll have a spot somewhere," Gee said Wednesday night, after taking a 4-3 loss to the Marlins. "It might not be here but it will be somewhere."
The Mets boast a stable of young arms entering next season, bolstered by the return of ace Matt Harvey, who is expected to be joined by Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler. But the Mets have three viable starters -- Jonathon Niese, Bartolo Colon and Gee -- with two openings.
And that doesn't factor in a potential spot for top prospect Noah Syndergaard.
Gee, 28, started on Opening Day in place of an injured Niese. But after a lat strain sidelined him for a large chunk of the season's first half, Gee (7-8) hasn't looked like himself in the second half.
Against the Marlins, Gee caught some tough luck, allowing four runs in 62/3 innings. He fell to 3-7 with a 4.95 ERA in 12 second-half starts.
Manager Terry Collins said Gee's command was lacking, a theme throughout the second half, though the pitcher insisted he felt sharp.
As for what's next, Gee said it's out of his control.
"I want to be here. I think this team's going to be good," Gee said. "If you get pushed out, you get pushed out. But I think I've proven that I can pitch in the big leagues."
