CHICAGO -- The Mets announced late Saturday night that right-hander Tobias Myers would get the start on Sunday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in place of lefty David Peterson.
The change of plans was not injury related, but manager Carlos Mendoza did point out the club was trying to limit the amount of at-bats Peterson had against right-handers at the top of a lineup. Peterson, who has struggled to an 0-3 record and 6.41 ERA across four starts this year, has given up a .339 average to righties this season.
Mendoza said that Peterson will still play a role in Sunday’s game, just not as the starter.
“We knew there was a possibility that we were gonna go either an opener or somebody in front of Peterson, right after his last outing,” Mendoza said. “It was communicated to him after his last outing that there was a chance. But ... we needed to get to this day and see what kind of shape the bullpen was in. And yesterday we obviously gave him the official word. But just trying to create a more balanced lineup, given how teams are stacking up righties, especially at the top, against Peter. Just trying to create a better balance there for everyone and try to get 27 outs.”
After an All-Star campaign last season, Peterson has had a rough April. He began this year with 5 1/3 scoreless frames against the Pirates on March 28, but in his past three starts he has an 8.79 ERA and 1.95 WHIP in 14 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs on five hits with four walks in his last start against the Dodgers.
Despite the Mets’ 10-game losing streak, the club’s longest since losing 11 in a row in 2004, this decision was not made in relation to the team’s performance, but rather Peterson’s.
“I think it’s more just putting players in position to have success,” Mendoza said. “Like I said, this was a conversation right after his last outing. Whether we’re winning or losing, I think it just came down to putting players in position to have success.”
Myers, who was acquired this past offseason from Milwaukee alongside Freddy Peralta, has made six relief appearances for the Mets this season, compiling a 3.46 ERA with nine strikeouts over 13 innings. The 27-year-old has made 31 starts in his career prior to Sunday, with 25 of those coming in 2024 with the Brewers. He has an 8-7 lifetime record and 3.48 ERA as a starter.
Mendoza said he would let the game play out, noting that Myers is built up without a hard restriction. Myers has gone multiple innings in all of his relief appearances this season, with a season-high 39 pitches coming on March 26.
“He’s a guy that’s going to go out there and give you a chance to win baseball games,” Mendoza said. “... I like how he’s attacking.”
That’s something the Mets have been in dire need of during this skid. New York’s starters have logged a 5.65 ERA during the 10-game losing streak, despite Peralta allowing one run through the first five innings before the Cubs hit a three-run homer off reliever Brooks Raley to break the game open. As an offense, the Mets are batting just .203 and have been outscored 60-18 in the current stretch.
Myers will look to snap the skid before the Mets return home to Citi Field after an off-day, with Nolan McLean on the mound Tuesday against the Twins.