David Peterson could pitch in relief in Game 2
Wednesday is Peterson’s normal between-starts throwing day (he started on Sunday), but the Mets held him back from throwing his regular bullpen session.
That’s because they want him available out of the bullpen in case he’s needed.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to win today,” manager Carlos Mendoza explained before the game.
It is typical in the playoffs for starting pitchers to be available on their throw day, so earmarking Peterson for a possible relief outing in Game 2 makes sense — especially since the earliest he would start a game is the NLDS, should the Mets get there.
Edwin Diaz is available to pitch
Diaz was unavailable on Tuesday after throwing 40 pitches over 1.2 innings as the Mets clinched a playoff spot during Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader against the Braves in Atlanta.
He also pitched on Sunday, throwing 26 pitches in 1.0 inning of work while sealing a win in Milwaukee.
But Diaz is all set to pitch in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series if needed.
With Diaz and Phil Maton unavailable in Game 1, the Mets turned to Jose Butto in relief of Luis Severino in the seventh inning. Butto tossed 2.0 perfect innings before turning it over to Ryne Stanek, who fired 1.0 perfect inning to seal it.
Paul Blackburn’s season is over
Blackburn is going to miss the remainder of the season due to a back ailment that has involved tightness and leaking spinal fluid.
Blackburn said in September that he had gotten roughly 10 PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and that he was targeting a return late in the regular season. But the issue has not gone away, resulting in him being shut down for the year.
Blackburn initially missed a start after getting hit in the hand by a comebacker in San Diego on Aug. 23, and he was set to reenter the rotation on Sept. 9 in Toronto after making a rehab start on Sept. 4.
However, the back issue then cropped up, resulting in a more extended absence and — eventually — the end of his season.
Not having Blackburn takes a key depth starter off the board for New York, but there’s a chance they get Kodai Senga back if they advance.
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