The Mets have a change in their pitching plans for Friday’s series opener in Philly.
New York originally expected to have Justin Hagenman either start or work as a bulk reliever in a bullpen game, but he ended up throwing the final 2.2 innings during Thursday’s series finale against the Braves.
Instead, they’ll turn to young right-hander Blade Tidwell.
Carlos Mendoza indicated postgame Thursday that the team was planning on utilizing a traditional starter due to the recent heavy bullpen usage and Tidwell was among the arms in the mix.
Now the 23-year-old will make his second big-league outing to open a massive three-game set against the Phillies.
Tidwell made his debut with the club earlier this season — allowing six runs on nine hits while walking three over just 3.2 innings in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
He was roughed up during his last outing down in Syracuse but had put together a strong stretch prior to that — allowing three or less earned runs over each of his last five starts.
Fellow prospect Nolan McLean was a potential option as well, but Tidwell was a better fit at the moment since he is currently on the 40 Man roster and the Mets are only looking for a spot starter.
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