Adrian Houser‘s time in the bullpen has come to an end.
It was a short-lived tenure for the Mets to use their right-handed starter in relief, but after throwing two innings against the Atlanta Braves over the weekend, the Mets decided he’s ready to resume his role as a starter.
“It’s where we’re at on the schedule,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday before the Mets opened a series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. “He’s still built up and we’re trying to find an extra day of rest for some of the guys. He’s ready to go.”
Having only made one relief appearance, Houser is still stretched out enough to start. The struggling righty was able to keep the ball on the ground in his last appearance, though he did walk two hitters in only two innings.
Houser will start Wednesday against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Right-hander Tylor Megill (right shoulder strain) could be added to the rotation the next time around if the Mets activate him off the 15-day injured list, but since he made a rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Syracuse he won’t be ready by Wednesday.
Megill’s return could bump Houser to the bullpen once again. The Mets are already using a six-man rotation with the addition of Houser and there is room in the bullpen with left-hander Brooks Raley out long-term. However, right-handed reliever Drew Smith will be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, so the ‘pen is getting crowded. The Mets have to figure out how to handle a roster crunch.
The organization doesn’t see Megill as a reliever. Plus, he stretched out to start in the minors during his rehab assignment. He’s made four rehab starts already and the team is debating a fifth.
“Everything is on the table here,” Mendoza said. “Some of the discussions are whether he goes back out and throws another rehab outing, or we just put him here on our roster.”
The Mets could sort this out a few ways. They could designate right-hander Yohan Ramirez for assignment again to add Smith to the roster. They could option right-hander Jose Butto after his start Tuesday, which would mean giving Megill his rotation spot. Unless there’s an injury, Butto would not be eligible to be recalled for another 15 days after being optioned.
Or, they could wait until after Wednesday and see what Houser is capable of giving them. Megill, left-hander David Peterson and Kodai Senga are all working toward returns, with Peterson and Senga possibly returning in June. If Houser (0-3, 7.63 ERA in 30 2/3 innings) can’t throw strikes, they may find it best to cut ties with the 31-year-old.
However, playing time tends to work itself out. The Mets may find some room on the roster or another player could end up on the IL, effectively opening up a roster spot. The puzzle always comes together eventually.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Triple-A right-hander Shintaro Fujinami was recalled from Syracuse and placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. … Triple-A left-hander and highly-ranked prospect Nate Lavender is getting another opinion on his injured elbow this week. Mets officials are hoping he can avoid Tommy John surgery.
