Mike Pelfrey will miss his scheduled start on Saturday in San Diego for the birth of his first child. Pelfrey did not make the trip to California.
That, coupled with Jon Niese’s injury, leaves two holes in the Mets rotation over the next week. Here’s how the pitching matchups look for the next five games…
- Livan Hernandez, RHP (7-5, 4.77) @ Clayton Richard, LHP (4-3, 4.47)
- Oliver Perez, LHP (2-3, 7.03) @ Kevin Correia, RHP (7-9, 4.73)
- TBA @ Mat Latos, RHP (3-1, 2.66)
- Johan Santana, LHP (12-8, 3.10) @ Tim Stauffer, RHP (1-3, 3.12)
- TBA @ TBA (First game of Arizona series)
The way I see it, Pelfrey can work the first game of the Arizona series, slotting back in behind Santana. That means the Mets will need just one pitcher to fill in on Saturday.
Nelson Figueroa was more than serviceable yesterday, coming off a disaster of a start against the Diamondbacks. Bobby Parnell’s named has also been tossed around as a starter, so that could be an option.
And don’t bother looking down at the minor leagues. No pitcher is near the “major league ready” level of Jon Niese, so don’t expect a call-up to fare well.