David Peterson expected to be called up and start Tuesday vs. Brewers – The Denver Post

PHILADELPHIA — Despite the struggles at the Major League and Triple-A levels, the Mets are giving left-hander David Peterson another shot.

The club is expected to call up the former first-round pick to take Tylor Megill’s turn through the rotation Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The club was hesitant to confirm this information, but by process of elimination, it’s easy to see Peterson is the most viable candidate. Left-hander Joey Lucchesi pitched Friday night and right-hander Jose Butto pitched Saturday. The Mets don’t seem to be in a rush to promote right-hander Mike Vasil, who has made two starts since moving from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Syracuse.

So, the club will see if Peterson, who had an 8.08 ERA in eight MLB starts this season and a 4.86 ERA in seven minor league starts, has solved his problems in Syracuse.

One of the biggest problems was his slider. Peterson had lamented it after his last big league start in Washington and after previous starts as well. The pitch that was once his calling card wasn’t getting outs and his feel for it was suddenly gone.

“He’s been working on it,” manager Buck Showalter said Sunday at Citizens Bank Park before the series finale between the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. “It was a point of emphasis, the command, the slider shape and the command of that [shape]. I hope that’s happened.”

Peterson typically throws his slider about 30% of the time and it’s been an out pitch in the past. But not this season. His usage was down and he wasn’t able to throw it for strikes as often as he had in the past. But throwing it out of the zone was better than the alternative — leaving it hanging over the middle.

It clearly impacted his pitch sequencing and seemed to shake his confidence a little at times as well.

“I think the thing that’s bothered him is that there are so many counts that got away from him,” Showalter said. “With only three pitches, you can’t pitch up here.”

The numbers for Peterson don’t look good on paper, but the team says his underlying numbers (ones Showalter declined to elaborate on) are similar to Lucchesi’s. The results have been much better for Lucchesi in Triple-A this season, with the lefty owning a 6-1 record with a 2.36 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He’s holding International League hitters to a .199 average. Peterson has a 1.62 WHIP and is holding opponents to a .262 average.

The Mets did not elaborate on why they decided to go with Peterson instead of Lucchesi, but Showalter did say he would like to see Peterson return with improved command. Walks have always been an issue for the former University of Oregon standout and that doesn’t appear to have changed in Triple-A this season, with Peterson allowing nearly six walks per nine innings (23 walks in 37 innings).

“I know what he wasn’t doing here that he needed to get better at when he gets back,” Showalter said. “Namely, his command.”

The Mets are still trying to figure out why Peterson and Megill, two young starters who were so impactful for the team over the last two years and especially in 2022, have regressed this season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Left-hander Jose Quintana (rib) made a rehab start for Single-A Brooklyn on Saturday, allowing one earned run on two hits, walking one and striking out five over 4 1 /3 innings. He threw 47 pitches (32 strikes). He will likely make one more before finally joining the Mets rotation. Should Peterson need to go back to Triple-A again, the Mets could use his spot in the rotation.

Right-hander Elieser Hernandez (shoulder strain) was assigned to Single-A Brooklyn to begin a rehab assignment.

WAIVER WIRE

The Mets claimed right-hander Reed Garrett off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse. Garrett allowed three earned runs in only 2 2/3 innings for the Orioles this season, but the 30-year-old journeyman reliever has been much better for Triple-A Norfolk, going 5-1 with a 1.59 ERA over 19 appearances (22 2/3 innings).

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