Adam Ottavino, the 38-year-old pitcher for the Mets, had been on an incredible streak of not allowing a hit or a run since April 4th. He had been the most reliable pitcher on the team and had been dominating his opponents with his impressive stats. However, during a game against the Rays, Ottavino’s streak came to an end when he allowed a single to Yandy Diaz in the eighth inning.
This single marked the beginning of a tough inning for Ottavino. He walked Richie Palacios, which he later admitted was inexcusable, and then Isaac Paredes reached on an infield single that was chopped over Ottavino’s head. The bases were loaded, and the pressure was mounting.
But Ottavino got some help from Francisco Lindor, who made an incredible play to prevent a run from scoring. Lindor backhanded a ground ball and made a fadeaway throw home to get the runner out. Ottavino was relieved, but his troubles weren’t over yet.
He faced off against Austin Shenton and battled for nine tense pitches. Unfortunately, Ottavino’s last pitch missed low, resulting in a bases-loaded walk and allowing the go-ahead run to score. Ottavino fought hard but couldn’t make the final pitch when it mattered most.
The Mets’ bullpen has been dealing with injuries and roster moves, leaving them with only one left-handed pitcher, Jake Diekman. Despite this imbalance, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is not concerned. He believes that their right-handed pitchers can still get left-handed batters out effectively.
Mendoza also provided updates on the team’s injured players. Kodai Senga, who has been recovering from a right shoulder capsule strain, was expected to throw a live batting practice session for the second time at Citi Field. This is an important step in his recovery process. Drew Smith, who has been dealing with right shoulder soreness, is continuing his throwing program, and the team hopes to activate him from the injured list next week. Additionally, David Peterson, who recently threw three scoreless innings in a game with Low-A St. Lucie, is recovering well from offseason hip surgery and will be eligible to return on May 27th.
Overall, Ottavino’s performance against the Rays showcased his vulnerability and reminded everyone that even the most dominant pitchers can have off days. The Mets’ bullpen will need to rely on their right-handed pitchers to step up in the absence of left-handed options. The updates on injured players provide hope for their return and bolster the team’s pitching depth.
