Feb 28, 2023; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets manager Buck Showalter (11) replaces New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Spring Training-Houston Astros at New York Mets
(New York, NY) – Patience is a virtue.
The New York Mets are looking for help in their pitching staff – both starters and bullpen arms – as the team’s ERA checks in at 4.50 for the season.
That ranks among the 10 worst pitching staffs in MLB. Hopefully for fans of the orange and blue, lefty Jose Quintana can provide some stability.
He’s “close,” but Mets’ brass decided to push back his season debut a bit longer. During spring training, Quintana suffered a rib fracture, which required bone-graft surgery.
He recently made his fourth rehab start in AAA, but was limited to just 64 pitches. The team had hoped to stretch him out closer to 5 innings, so a fifth rehab start is now planned.
Quintana got wild in the third inning of his start for Syracuse on Friday, walking three in the frame. That led to his earlier-than-planned departure. He also threw a bullpen session at Citi Field on Sunday.
The southpaw emphatically stated he feels “good, feel healthy,” and was not concerned by the bad inning. In his first three rehab starts, he allowed one earned run in 8 ²/₃ innings.
Carlos Carrasco or David Peterson figure to be the odd man out in the rotation upon Quintana’s return.
