Marcus Stroman to the IL
News broke Wednesday afternoon that Marcus Stroman and Robert Gsellman are heading to the Injured List with a muscle tear in his calf as first reported by Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com.
Official: both Marcus Stroman and Robert Gsellman are on the IL.
Stroman's injury is a muscle tear in his left calf.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 22, 2020
This is a big blow for the New York Mets who are already short on arms in their rotation after losing Zack Wheeler to free agency and Noah Syndergaard to Tommy John surgery. Two days from Opening Day, the drama has already started in Queens. Stroman was scheduled to be the number two in the Mets rotation with Gsellman a depth piece. Now everything has changed and the Mets are once again looking for a new arm.
New York was worried about depth in the offseason and signed Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello to deals. There was plenty of confusion going around as both were told they were signed here to start games. Additionally, it seemed as though the two were going to fight it out for the fifth rotation spot.
Although that was the case, Stroman has no timetable on his injury and Syndergaard is out for the year. Therefore, these two will have to step up to the plate. According to DiComo, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, and Rick Porcello are expected to pitch opening weekend against the Atlanta Braves.
Mets rotation, first three games against the Braves:
Friday: Jacob deGrom
Saturday: Steven Matz
Sunday: Rick Porcello— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 22, 2020
What’s next?
There are now questions about even bringing Seth Lugo out of the Bullpen and into the starting rotation because the Mets currently have only four starters, DeGrom, Matz, Wacha, and Porcello. Removing Lugo from the bullpen would be a big blow. The Mets need to decide which group can handle the loss.
Luis Rojas and the Mets are meeting with other members of the coaching staff tonight to decide who will get the nod in the rotation. David Peterson and Corey Oswalt are two top candidates to fill the role until Marcus Stroman can return. Then there is of course the wild card candidate Bartolo Colon, who was a fan favorite in Queens and if serviceable would be a guy that could eat a lot of innings.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
