The outlook for the beginning of the Mets season has changed drastically after the entire opening series against the Nationals was postponed, but once the season finally does get underway, the starting rotation won't look too different.
Manager Luis Rojas spoke to reporters on Friday and laid out the rotation for the coming week, starting on Monday against the Phillies, the team's new season opener, and it will look just like it was originally intended, starting with Jacob deGrom on Monday night instead of Thursday, what was supposed to be Opening Day before multiple COVID-19 cases within the Nationals clubhouse forced a change in scheduling.
"We're staying with the same plan," Rojas said. "Right now Jake is going Monday, we have [Marcus] Stroman lined up for Tuesday and [David] Peterson for Wednesday, that will take [Taijuan] Walker to opening day at home."
Walker will now make his Mets debut in front of Citi Field fans, taking the mound for the team's home opener against the Marlins on Thursday afternoon. Wednesday is also an afternoon game, the series finale against the Phillies.
While the rotation structure hasn't changed, preparation has been significantly altered, with deGrom and company now waiting nearly a week longer to get live game action. Rojas and the coaching staff will put together the best plan possible to keep the staff sharp for its new opening week.
"Getting on the slope again and having the feel of a routine between starts, we know the last one [deGrom] had back at our stadium in St. Lucie was simulated," Rojas said. "But keeping him on the slope, tomorrow is a key day for that…he'll get on the slope again, then he'll play catch Sunday and be ready to go Monday."
For a pitcher like deGrom, Rojas isn't as concerned about potential rust or a lack of sharpness when he finally does take the mound in Philadelphia on Monday night.
"Jake's a pro," Rojas said. "I don't think it's the first time he's gone through something like this where there's a holdup and he has to be pushed back a couple days. So he'll know how to go about it and he'll be ready Monday."
As for Peterson, he threw a live BP on Tuesday and will throw in a sim game at practice in Washington on Saturday.
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