BOSTON — The Mets were keeping mum before Monday’s 7-4 win over the Red Sox on their starting pitching plans for Tuesday, but rookie David Peterson’s name was squarely in the conversation.
Peterson was placed on the team’s taxi squad, meaning he was allowed to travel with the Mets and could be added to the 30-man roster to take the rotation spot that opened with Marcus Stroman’s placement on the injured list following a left calf tear last week.
The left-hander Peterson, who was the organization’s top pick in the 2017 draft, impressed team officials during spring training and summer camp, when he emerged as potential rotation depth.
“This kid has great demeanor and he presents as that guy that wants to compete and get you out,” manager Luis Rojas said. “He’s always searching, he’s always asking questions, I like his pitchability as far as repertoire and also controlling the running game and fielding his position, there is just a good package there. A great guy to have in the pool, on the taxi squad for any strategy or any reason that may come in.”
Erasmo Ramirez is another possibility to start if the Mets don’t choose Peterson.
Pete Alonso, who entered play 1-for-11 (.091) was among the most conspicuous of the Mets struggling at the plate, before going 1-for-5, with a homer that left Fenway Park at 116 mph in Monday’s win.
“[Alonso] is chasing,” Rojas said before the game. “I have seen his front foot just landing top leg, sometimes overstriding, that leads to getting beat on the fastball. You overstride and you create more velocity on the fastball. What I do like is his attitude toward it. He’s able to maintain his attitude and he wants to see what he’s doing.
“He’s somebody under control with his emotions and his coaches are on him, he can make quick adjustments, so that is what we’re expecting right now from Pete.”
Yoenis Cespedes was absent from the starting lineup after starting the first three games as the DH. Rojas indicated he was giving Cespedes a rest and wanted to get Dominic Smith’s bat in the lineup. Smith started as the DH.
Tyler Bashlor was recalled from the Mets’ alternate camp to fill Corey Oswalt’s roster space. Oswalt was optioned after pitching four innings in relief Sunday and allowing five runs.
