Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, we’ve all heard it now especially after Johan Santana was placed on the 15-Day DL prior to Saturday’s game we all wonder who will take the spot in the rotation as there is no way that the Mets can use both Jeremy Hefner and Miguel Batista for the time being.
Well both pitchers struggled in their last outing, so the question is…now what?
Harvey pitched on Saturday against the Charlotte Knights and allowed six earned runs on seven hits and a pair of walks over five innings. Meanwhile, it is the first time in his last 10 starts that he has allowed three runs so Harvey is allowed a blip on the radar and that’s it. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back whether it be against the Arizona Diamondbacks or Louisville Bats is an answer still to be determined.
Meanwhile Zack Wheeler also struggled in his last start allowing eight earned runs on six hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings pitched. His season ERA is now 2.99 while his record fell to 6-3 in 2012, It appears whenever a starting pitcher is moved from Buffalo, whether it be Harvey or another, then Wheeler will be bumped up to take that spot.
Well there are some other options to come up and start if Harvey isn’t the candidate to be called up to start in place of Santana. The other likely candidate at Triple-A is Collin McHugh who has made 19 starts between Binghamton and Buffalo this season and has pitched fairly well in his seven starts at Buffalo in 37 2/3 innings while walking 16 and striking out 39 and allowing 23 runs (19 earned) on 35 hits.
No matter who the Mets decide to pitch they will need to be added to the 40-man roster which would likely result in Dillon Gee being placed on the 60-man DL to open up that spot. My feeling is to promote McHugh and give him a chance for the short term and see how it goes, he was drafted by the Mets in 2008 and has the most seasoning at this point since being selected from Berry College.
I have stated in previous posts that I would prefer to see Harvey in August, so if the Mets can patch McHugh through for two starts for the time being then bring back Santana at which time they reevaluate McHugh at the Major League Level and Harvey at the Triple-A level.
Next week we will return to the more traditional Down On The Farm format recapping all the minor league teams.
