NEW YORK -- In the midst of their worst losing streak in decades, the Mets are shaking up their rotation.
The team plans to call up Christian Scott to move into the starting five on Thursday against the Twins, bumping Kodai Senga back in the rotation. David Peterson will shift to the bullpen, and not necessarily to pitch bulk innings behind an opener as he did last weekend in Chicago. Instead, Peterson’s new role will depend upon game circumstances.
“The way Scott has been throwing the ball the past couple of outings in the Minor Leagues, we knew it was just going to be a matter of time that he was going to be helping us here at the big-league club,” manager Carlos Mendoza said before Tuesday's series opener against the Twins. “And here we are, giving him that opportunity. He earned it, and we’re excited about that.”
The upcoming rotation now looks as follows:
Tues. vs. Twins: Nolan McLean
Wed. vs. Twins: Clay Holmes
Thurs. vs. Twins: Scott
Fri. vs. Rockies: Freddy Peralta
Sat. vs. Rockies: Senga
Sun. vs. Rockies: McLean
The Mets will stick with a five-man rotation for the time being, keeping both Peterson and Sean Manaea in the bullpen.
Scott, 26, has not pitched in a Major League game since July 21, 2024, when he suffered a UCL injury in his right elbow and subsequently underwent Tommy John surgery. Although Scott entered Spring Training as a fully healthy player, the Mets brought him along slowly, building him up over the course of several Grapefruit League games and Minor League appearances.
He shined in the latter two of those, striking out 12 batters against two walks over 10 1/3 innings, while allowing just two earned runs. Scott also sat in the mid-90s in those outings.
Still technically a rookie, Scott was once the organization’s top pitching prospect. He produced a 4.56 ERA over nine starts in 2024.
"He’s a competitor,” Mendoza said. “Getting out of Spring Training, we knew it was going to be a matter of time, and we just feel like he’s ready to do it now.”
As for Peterson, Mendoza acknowledged that the left-hander “could make starts for us in the near future.” He didn’t commit to that, however. Most likely, Peterson’s future will depend upon his own performance, as well as the health of other starters.
“It’ll continue to be fluid,” Mendoza said. “We’ve got a lot of healthy starters, but we’re going to stick to five here.”