With aces traded away David Peterson, Tylor Megill set for rotation return – The Denver Post

BALTIMORE — With Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander duking it out on two Texas teams, the Mets are giving their young arms a chance once again.

Left-hander David Peterson and right-hander Tylor Megill will return to the rotation this weekend when the Mets play a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Two years ago, these two seemed destined to headline the rotation. But then the club went all in, signing the two future Hall of Famers in 2021 and 2022, and Peterson and Megill both struggled with injuries. They started the 2023 season healthy, but to say they struggled might even be an understatement. Both were demoted to Triple-A and neither one put up good numbers with Syracuse. The Mets have been unable to figure out why they each regressed this season, but the rest of the season will provide ample time to figure it out.

Peterson started Friday in the series opener and Megill will be called up Saturday to pitch the second game.

The big righty has gone 0-3 with an 8.67 ERA in six Triple-A starts since his late June demotion, which looks worse than his 6-4, 5.17 ERA in 15 big league starts this season. But the Mets liked what they saw in his last start when he limited Lehigh Valley to two earned runs on three hits with six strikeouts and only one walk.

“Here’s a guy that two weeks ago, you’re wondering what in the world is wrong with him?” Buck Showalter said Friday. “But you see him in his face right now. Two weeks ago, he didn’t think there was any way he’d be starting another game in the big leagues this year. But he did what he’s supposed to do.”

Much like when the Mets called up Peterson, they cited the peripherals with Megill and improved pitch shapes. Megill started the season strong going 3-1 with a 3.96 ERA before seemingly running out of gas in May. He had some good starts in May and June but typically they were followed up with bad ones. It was a frustrating pattern that the Mets were hoping he could figure out with some time in Triple-A.

Last season, Megill went 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA before an injury.

“I’m anxious to see if it plays up here,” Showalter said. “For a month and a half last year, he was as good a pitcher as there was in baseball. So I’m kind of curious to see how Tylor pitches and how Peterson does with this opportunity now to start.”

Peterson has done well in a long relief role as of late but the Mets have little choice but to use him in the rotation right now. The club’s first-round pick in 2017, Peterson has allowed only two earned runs in eight relief innings (2.25 ERA). This is his first start in more than a month (July 30).

What these two do the rest of the season will be a major storyline to watch. The Mets have not been able to develop a frontline starter since Steven Matz in 2015. It’s been just as frustrating for the Mets as it has been for Peterson and Megill. The Mets have a couple of prospects in Double- and Triple-A that could take the places of those two in a year or two if they fail to pan out. General manager Billy Eppler has already said the Mets will have to use free agency to replace Scherzer and Verlander next season.

“Everybody wants to talk about it because Max and Justin aren’t here, but they’re not guaranteed,” Showalter said.

The pressure isn’t completely off Peterson and Megill, but it has lessened considerably. The Mets are hoping it helps them find their stride.

BACK IN ACTION

Outfielder Brandon Nimmo returned to the lineup after sitting out the entirety of the series in Kansas City with quad tightness. The Mets were able to avoid placing him on the injured list and Showalter said he was “champing at the bit” to get back to action.

Outfielder Starling Marte (migraines) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday night. He played right field and hit sixth in the order. The Mets sent infielder Jonathan Arauz to Triple-A Syracuse to clear space on the roster.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Outfielder Tim Locastro (UCL thumb surgery) begins a rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League Mets on Friday.

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