The New York Mets are already looking around for pitching depth.
It’s still May, so the fact they are scanning the market for arms is a direct consequence of injuries.
Indeed, the Mets are currently without their two best starters, Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, who will be out until at least July.
deGrom went down during spring training with a stress reaction on his right scapula, while Scherzer got hurt this week.
Pitching against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, he called in the trainer and reported pain in his left side.
An MRI on Thursday confirmed an oblique strain, and he will be out of action for the next 6-8 weeks.
That timeline is actually about the same as deGrom, as both hurlers could return around the All-Star break, possibly a bit sooner.
The Mets Have Been Forced To Look At Pitching Options
The Mets, therefore, are evaluating alternatives.
“I missed this yesterday, but the Mets signed Trevor Cahill to a minor league deal. Durable veteran who had a pair of 200-inning seasons, albeit a decade ago. Last appeared for the Pirates last summer, going 1-5 with a 6.57 ERA in nine appearances. He offers needed rotation depth,” MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo wrote via Twitter.
I missed this yesterday, but the Mets signed Trevor Cahill to a minor league deal. Durable veteran who had a pair of 200-inning seasons, albeit a decade ago. Last appeared for the Pirates last summer, going 1-5 with a 6.57 ERA in nine appearances. He offers needed rotation depth.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 20, 2022
Cahill was once a top prospect in the Oakland Athletics system.
He is 34 years old and while he had a bad performance in 2021, he offers experience and a fresh arm.
Over his career, he has a 86-99 record with a 4.26 ERA in 1507.2 innings.
He has accumulated 1,151 strikeouts.
Right now, Chris Bassitt is the Mets’ de facto ace, and Carlos Carrasco, Tylor Megill, David Peterson, Taijuan Walker, and Trevor Williams will need to step up.
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