A familiar face took the mound as an experiment in Queens. After a slow start from former All-Star David Peterson in 2026, the Mets turned to former top prospect Christian Scott. The 26-year-old flamethrower hadn’t seen major league action since 2024.
During his brief stint that season, Scott showed promise, tallying 39 strikeouts across nine starts with a 4.56 ERA. His momentum ended abruptly July 21, when he felt shoulder discomfort during a start against the Marlins. What initially required a 15-day injured list stint was later upgraded to season-ending Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander returned in 2026 and stood out in spring training, touching 99 mph on his fastball while striking out four over three innings. He finished the spring with a 4.50 ERA and eight strikeouts across six innings.
In Triple-A, Scott appeared in three games, allowing seven runs in his first start before rebounding with two strong outings, surrendering just two runs over 10 innings.
Given an opportunity to provide the Mets with a much-needed back-end starter, Scott struggled under the lights at Citi Field.
The rocky start
Scott’s first test came against Byron Buxton, whom he struck out swinging in a four-pitch battle, topping out at 96 mph. What appeared to be a promising beginning quickly unraveled. Scott walked four batters in the first inning, one of which led to a run for the Twins.
He escaped further damage, allowing just one run, but 20 of his first 33 pitches missed the strike zone.
With a 3-1 lead in the second inning, Scott immediately walked Brooks Lee — his fifth walk of the outing. His night ended shortly after. Scott issued a balk that advanced Lee, then hit Buxton with a pitch, prompting a stare from the Twins center fielder as he took first base.
“He didn’t have command,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He couldn’t throw the ball over the plate. The velocity was there, but he couldn’t find the strike zone.”
Scott’s 2026 debut line: 1 1/3 innings, five walks, one run allowed and one hit batter.
He became just the third pitcher in Mets history to post a stat line of two or fewer innings with five or more walks and a hit-by-pitch, joining Nolan Ryan and Juan Berenguer. It marked the 56th occurrence in MLB history and the first since 2021.
Despite the outing, Mendoza said Scott will receive another opportunity, emphasizing the right-hander remains an important piece for the Mets.
Tobias Myers followed in relief, tossing 2 1/3 innings with three strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 2.60.
Now, the Mets face a looming question: Who will fill the No. 5 spot in the rotation?
Should they give Scott another chance? Move Peterson back into the rotation? Kodai Senga is expected to start Saturday against the Rockies, leaving two primary options behind him: Myers and Sean Manaea. Both have excelled in long relief roles, but with an opening in the rotation, the Mets may need to reconsider their plans.
