The New York Mets head into the Subway Series this week, winners of 13 of their last 17 games. With a month to go until the trade deadline, the Mets have played well throughout June. But challenges lie ahead in the form of Edwin Diaz’s impending suspension after he was ejected Sunday night with a sensitive condition and Starling Marte’s knee ailment.
Here are five takeaways for the week ahead.
Díaz’s 10-game suspension was announced Monday. He can appeal. If Díaz does not appeal, he will be out until July 6.
Edwin Díaz asks if his hand was “stickier than usual” tonight:
“I think it’s the same. They’re still checking me, they’re letting me throw…I’m going to keep using the same stuff because they couldn’t find anything on my glove, my hat, my belt.” pic.twitter.com/QXvO1sxAeD
-SNY (@SNYtv) June 24, 2024
Díaz’s suspension puts the Mets in a difficult situation regarding their roster. It’s hard enough for the Mets to replace their star closer, who was just starting to resemble his old self; Díaz solidified the bullpen, put the roles in order. But New York will also lose a pitcher. Thus, agile roster maneuvering may be necessary.
For example, it wouldn’t be shocking if David Peterson and Tylor Megill both got a Triple-A option after their upcoming starts – assuming the Mets stick with their current rotation for the next few games – for relievers. Then, when those turns in the rotation reappear, the Mets could pick those relievers for Christian Scott and Jose Buttó. To be clear, this is just one path the Mets can take, and there are others.
The Mets aren’t able to do much shuffling with their bullpen, but they can move a few pitchers to the minors if necessary. Dedniel Nunez and Danny Young – both have been effective – are the only Mets relievers with minor league options beyond Reed Garrett, who the Mets would likely lean on even more for high-leverage situations without Diaz.
Christian Scott is ready for another chance
Before Diaz’s suspension, the Mets were already mulling the idea of inserting another starter — the likely addition being Scott — as they play 17 straight games before the All-Star break that begins Friday.
Scott was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse a few weeks ago because the Mets were facing a roster crisis and had several days off in June. With Scott in the minors, they could also move back. And while he was there, the Mets wanted to see him work on his secondary pitches after relying heavily on his fastball. One evaluator said Scott did just that. Scott rediscovered his sweeper action and located throws against lefties and righties with confidence.
Starling Marte’s absence will test a growing lineup
Starling Marte’s test results Monday showed bone inflammation in her right knee, a source with direct knowledge of the situation said. Marte was told he needed 15 days off.
In recent weeks, Marte has missed a few games due to a knee problem. He was scratched from Saturday’s game and did not play Sunday night.
Marte, 35, had a solid offensive season after returning from a poor 2023 in which he was hampered by injuries, including double groin surgery ahead of the 2023 season. Marte bounced back with seven home runs, 12 stolen bases and a .745 OPS. Marte got poor marks in right field with minus-9 defensive runs saved. He played in 66 of the Mets’ 76 games.
Starling Marte says her knee has been bothering her for ‘a few weeks’ pic.twitter.com/mwOKNCMDys
-SNY (@SNYtv) June 22, 2024
With Marte out, the Mets can’t immediately install anyone who would likely post similar offensive numbers. Collectively, though, their lineup might be enough to make up for his absence. New York’s roster is deep these days, with all regulars owning an OPS+ above 100 (average), except for second baseman Jeff McNeil (68 OPS+).
It’s not yet clear who the Mets would place on their active roster to take Marte’s spot.
With Marte sidelined, the obvious candidates on the roster to see more action are reserve outfielders Tyrone Taylor and DJ Stewart. McNeil could also spend more time in the outfield, which opens up the possibility of moving an infielder from Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets often used right-handed hitter Jose Iglesias against lefties to spell the slumping McNeil. Brett Baty (left-handed hitter), who has played three games for Syracuse at second base since his demotion last month, and prospect Luisangel Acuña are infielders on the 40-man roster.
The only other outfielder on the 40-man roster is Duke Ellis, a speedster the Mets recently claimed off waivers (New York also has prospect Alex Ramirez on the 40-man roster, but he’s in Double A with an OPS of .679). But Ellis has only played eight major league games, and the Mets have more proven options in the minors, even if that means they would have to select one off the roster, like Ben Gamel and Trayce Thompson. There are also utility players like Luke Ritter, Mike Brosseau and Pablo Reyes.
Starting Luis Severino against the Cubs was the right decision
The Mets made the right decision when they moved Severino to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night instead of having him face his old team, the New York Yankees, even though they robbed us of the storyline. And it’s not just because it ended up working, as Severino pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and just three hits allowed. No, the logic was still correct.
First, the matchups made sense. The Cubs have just a .682 OPS against right-handed pitchers, like Severino, which is better than nine other teams. The Yankees lead MLB in OPS against righties (.782), but they are middle of the pack against lefties (.699). Before Sunday’s game, the plan was to start Peterson, a left-hander, on Tuesday and left-hander Sean Manaea on Wednesday.
Plus, the Cubs have playoff implications. After Sunday’s win, the Mets are poised to receive a tiebreaker against the Cubs if need be (the Mets won the series after the two clubs split a four-game series in April).
JD Martinez continues to impact the clubhouse in significant ways
Here’s an informative look from Brandon Nimmo on how JD Martinez has helped improve hitting meetings, preparation, and overall culture.
“What I kept trying to get around is just the moment when you step up to the plate or when you do your job, the mental process that he goes through,” Nimmo said. “He’s somebody, it’s 10 a.m. every day, he goes there and he hits on his own. And then he steps on the field and hits again.
“It’s something he’s continually trying to master and he knows he’ll never get there, but he’s constantly striving to be a better version of himself for that day, for that specific pitcher. .And he understands that it’s not a swing for everyone and for every pitcher; there are different swings for different pitchers and different situations. in the season, and he’s constantly trying to stay on top. For me, just watching him do that opens my eyes to how many different ways to do it, but that there are commonalities. between successful hitters, and that it’s their willingness to compete and adapt to the game.”
(Photo by Starling Marte: Luke Hales/Getty Images)