ST. LOUIS -- The Mets are concerned enough about starter Jacob deGrom's recent struggles -- and convinced enough that fatigue is at the root of them -- that they are considering pushing back his next start.
Manager Terry Collins plans to huddle with general manager Sandy Alderson when the team returns home on Friday, with an eye toward finding extra rest for deGrom.
"To me, it looks like he's getting run down," Collins said. "I don't know if we need to move him back, push him back, or what it might be. We need to consider somehow getting him some rest."
Though Collins suggested inserting Steven Matz back into the rotation ahead of deGrom, Matz is not eligible to come off the disabled list until Aug. 30 -- and there are no guarantees he will be ready to do so at that time. So if the Mets want to push back deGrom, they will need to use another spot starter, with few options available. The Mets are already proceeding with two substitute pitchers, Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo, in their rotation in the thick of a pennant race.
The Mets may simply default back to deGrom, who has yielded 13 runs on 25 hits over his last two starts. Following Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals, deGrom insisted that he does not "feel tired at all," despite his uncharacteristic lack of command. The right-hander threw 216 innings between the regular season and postseason last year, eclipsing his previous career high by 25. He has thrown 143 innings so far this year, putting himself on pace for between 180-190.