David Peterson caps strong first half with solid outing for Mets
New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, July 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Credit: AP/Nam Y. Huh
CHICAGO — Ticketed for the minor leagues for most of spring training, David Peterson instead became one of the Mets’ most reliable and effective pitchers in the first half. taking a 3.24 ERA into the All-Star break after another strong start Sunday in a 3-2 loss to the Cubs.
He has thrown more innings (72 1⁄3) than Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom combined (69).
“Pete is one of those guys that has stepped up and taken the opportunity to establish himself as somebody we feel is starting to establish a track record of trust,” manager Buck Showalter said.
Peterson allowed a lone unearned run in five innings against Chicago. The biggest moment came in the fourth, when he struck out Patrick Wisdom with the bases loaded to keep the score tied. Eduardo Escobar’s fielding error cost Peterson the run and 21 extra pitches. He marked the end of the inning with a big fist pump, a rare public display of emotion for him.
“I’d rather let it out at the end than be emotional during the inning,” he said.
With deGrom (stress reaction in his right shoulder blade) expected back perhaps as soon as the first week after the break, Peterson’s role is back to being uncertain. He doesn’t have an obvious rotation spot, barring another injury.
“We all want Jake back,” he said. “We all want him healthy. That’s the most important thing. We want him to be productive and we want him to be Jake, the Jake that we love and know.”
Might he go to the bullpen? He can see it, he said. “I’ve said it before: I want to be one of the starters in the rotation. I want to be able to help this team win games,” Peterson said. “But you know what, if I’m on the team and I’m helping us achieve our goal, that’s all that matters.”
Banged up
Taijuan Walker is one of several Mets dealing with apparently minor physical issues. He headed to New York on Saturday to get checked out by doctors before the All-Star break, according to Showalter, who emphasized that it is not a big deal and said Walker will start one of the Mets’ next five games.
Showalter did not say what body part was of concern.
Tomas Nido (left forearm) had an MRI that the catcher said showed “nothing newsworthy.” Showalter said Dominic Smith (right ankle) will get more medical imaging done Monday.
There was at least one other player, whom Showalter did not identify, affected by some problem.
“We’re trying to get all this imaging before we leave [for the All-Star break] and not be surprised by anything afterward,” Showalter said. “There’s nothing that we think [is serious]. The worst thing that can happen is to leave here not having attacked it.”
Homecoming
Colin Holderman’s five-out, 14-pitch appearance Saturday night was especially sweet for the rookie reliever. He grew up in Illinois rooting for the Cubs (and hating the NLCS-winning Mets in 2015 before they drafted him in 2016), so the series was a busy one for him personally, with dozens of family members and friends in attendance.
Personnel news
First-base coach Wayne Kirby, who also is the outfield and baserunning instructor, will miss “at least a few days” because he is having surgery, Showalter said.
The Mets haven’t said who, if anyone, they will add to the coaching staff to fill in. They are considering calling up former Mets outfielder Matt den Dekker (now the organization’s minor-league outfield/baserunning coordinator) but also have Rafael Fernandez (a batting-practice pitcher who has been a hitting and outfield coach in the past) already present.
Extra bases
Luis Guillorme has started in all nine spots in the batting order this year, completing his set by hitting in the No. 2 hole Saturday . . . Scherzer on Nido: “He’s throwing guys out from his knees. That reminds me of, like, Yadi[er Molina].” . . . This is the first time since 2012 that Scherzer was not picked for the All-Star Game . . . On a sleepy Sunday morning, the Mets’ clubhouse playlist was exclusively Christmas music. “We have four days off after this,” Trevor Williams said. “It’s like Christmas.”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
