Miguel Batista joins rotation as Chris Schwinden goes back to Triple-A Buffalo - MLB Update
The New York Mets look for solace after Mike Pelfrey suffers an injury and is no longer available in the rotation. While an immediate step was taken in the form of a call-up of Chris Schwinden from the Minor-League, it has just proven in-sufficient.
Schwinden was below-par on the mound and instead of helping the side was proving a boon for the opponents to fetch runs from. This has led the management to turn to another option, Miguel Batista as he is experienced and had done great job last season for
the club.
While many called for Matt Harvey, a Minor League prospect with credentials to become one of the most reliable aces with the Mets in the future, General Manager Sandy Alderson scrapped the possibility, saying it is too early to bring him and that club plan
to use him with caution.
As manager Terry Collins states, Batista will not be a mere piece in bullpen, rather he will be starting the games as and when required. While this is a brave decision, it does reflect paucity of options with the club when it comes to their pitching staff.
“One of the things we brought Miguel Batista in for was not just to be a bullpen guy, but if we needed a spot starter anytime he was the guy to do it,” Collins said. “We saw last year how effective he can be in that role, so we just said as we wait to see
how Chris Young comes along we brought him here so if we needed a starter he was here. We just thought we’ve got to get a look at him in that spot.”
Regardless of available options, the Mets do have a serious issue regarding their starting pitchers. Apart from Johan Santana, most of their starters lack an ability to throw shut-out innings and take the side to wins on their own.
Their offence has stepped up in almost every game, with David Wright lifting the momentum whenever required and Kirk Nieuwenhuis becoming an instant hit in the season.
For as long as their strong offence is not reciprocated by their pitchers, nothing substantial will happen for the Mets.
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