Mets manager Luis Rojas spoke to reporters on Tuesday at Nationals Park, the site for Opening Day, and revealed the team’s rotation plans for the first week of the season.
Jacob deGrom, the obvious Opening Day starter, will get the ball on Thursday to start the season, as previously announced earlier this month. He will be countered by Max Scherzer.
Marcus Stroman will take the ball in game two against Washington, while David Peterson will round out the series on Sunday.
When the Mets’ season continues in Philadelphia for a three-game set with the Phillies, Taijuan Walker will make his debut in the series opener, and deGrom will follow in game two, pitching on normal rest due to the off day after Opening Day. Joey Lucchesi or an opener will take the series finale.
The Mets toyed with an opener last week in spring training, starting with Jacob Barnes on the mound followed by Lucchesi.
Carlos Carrasco won’t be ready to join the rotation to start the season, still recovering from a torn hamstring, but he has resumed throwing.
Opening Day for the Mets is Thursday night against the Nationals at 7:05 p.m.
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