There are reasons to think that Griffin Canning can consistently deliver strong performances and potentially earn a spot on the National League All-Star team.
Yet, it’s also worth pondering how long the Mets’ current rotation will stay intact.
This is the current state of the club’s rotation, showcasing impressive depth, which might spell trouble for those who aren’t performing at their best.
In the coming weeks, the Mets, boasting one of the best rotations in baseball this year, are set to bring in two new pitchers, even as options for making cuts seem limited.
Frankie Montas is gearing up to begin his fifth rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, with plans to pitch around 80 pitches.
Meanwhile, Sean Manaea is scheduled to launch into his third rehab stint on Sunday.
If both pitchers return to full health, the Mets will face what their manager, Carlos Mendoza, considers a “tough decision.”
“Typically, these situations sort themselves out,” he noted, mentioning the potential for injuries or ineffective outings after the Mets blanked the Nationals 5-0 at Citifield on Wednesday. “We’re at least a couple of weeks from making these choices.”
Kodai Senga currently holds an impressive ERA of 1.59, while Clay Holmes sits at 2.95.
David Peterson has a 2.49 ERA, following a complete game shutout in the recent win over the Nationals. On the other hand, Tylor Megill, the most statistically vulnerable among them, still boasts a respectable 3.76 ERA—many teams would probably be glad to have a fifth starter like that.
Once Megill, who might be heading back to Triple-A Syracuse, is moved out for Montas, the most likely candidate to slide into Manaea’s spot would be Canning.
Such a shift seems hard to imagine for someone who, as the presumed fourth starter, is performing well with a 6-2 record and a 3.22 ERA.
But Canning understands if the Mets decide to convert him into a bullpen option or occasionally use him as a fill-in starter.
“I can’t control what happens,” Canning remarked. “Being part of this team has been thrilling, and we all have the same goal: to win.”
“When the time comes, we’ll figure it out,” he added.
Canning came aboard as a $4.25 million depth player, proving to be a wise investment, despite a slight downturn in his recent outings.
In his last 17 innings, he has given up 10 runs, resulting in a 5.29 ERA after nine starts this season.
During a recent game, he conceded three hits, including home runs to Washington’s CJ Abrams, though he insists his pitches were well-placed.
In retrospect, he expressed some regret about one particular pitch that led to a home run.
“Perhaps it was just the right pitch, but maybe not the right spot,” he reflected.
Despite past challenges, he delivered six strong, scoreless innings at Dodger Stadium earlier.
Nevertheless, signs of inconsistency from the Mets starters raise questions about who might get rotated out.
If Megill, Canning, or another pitcher falters, the imminent return of Manaea and Montas will be closely watched.
Manaea looked solid during a scoreless stint at Brooklyn’s High A on Tuesday, though Montas has had a rough go this season, allowing 12 runs in just 12 minor league innings.
Mendoza commented that Montas is working closely with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner to refine his mechanics and that the team isn’t overly concerned about his recent struggles. They see it as part of a process.
“It’s akin to a spring training environment for him,” Mendoza explained. “It’s just a matter of finding his footing.”
