Before the Mets outlasted the Tigers on Monday in Detroit, Sean Manaea had another disappointing outing, allowing five runs on eight hits in just 3.2 innings.
In nine starts this season, Manaea — who has a 5.60 ERA and 1.24 WHIP — has pitched into the sixth inning just once. And he has failed to complete five innings in three of his last six outings.
Pitching the day before Manaea, Kodai Sengaallowed five runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings against a bad Marlins team.
It's been a tale of two seasons for Senga, who has a 5.90 ERA (5.75 FIP) in 39.2 innings over nine starts since returning from his hamstring injury — and who has been trying to get his mechanics right for quite some time.
Against the backdrop of Manaea and Senga struggling (while often putting the team behind the eight ball and taxing the bullpen) is the Mets' new six-man rotation, which also features David Peterson, Clay Holmes, and rookies Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong.
After Senga's recent start, manager Carlos Mendoza seemed to hint that he might not make his next one. But following Monday's game, Mendoza said both Senga and Manaea remain part of the rotation.
What that means specifically is anyone's guess. Perhaps one of them will have a start skipped. Maybe one or both will be used in a piggyback situation.
What doesn't seem to be happening is either one landing on the IL.
Manaea, who is pitching with loose bodies in his left elbow, says he's fine. And there is seemingly nothing physical ailing Senga.
No matter how the Mets attempt to get Senga and Manaea back on the right track, though, it's time to add the flamethrowing Triple-A Syracuse right-handerBrandon Sproatto the rotation situation.
Sproat, who watched both McLean and Tong reach the majors before him (with Tong needing just two Triple-A starts before being deemed ready), made an emphatic statement in his latest start following a blip last week when he was used in relief.
While firing 7.0 shutout innings on Saturday, Sproat allowed just three hits while walking two and striking out nine.
Since making a change ahead of his start on June 28 — basically deciding to be more aggressive and let it fly — Sproat has a 2.44 ERA in 59.0 innings.
He's also been missing bats at a higher clip, racking up eight or more strikeouts on five occasions since then after not doing so at all over his first 15 games of the season.
There are two big questions regarding Sproat.
The first is when to possibly insert him into the rotation, while the second obviously revolves around how he'll perform in the majors.
With New York in the heat of a pennant race and facing the Tigers, Reds, and Phillies during a current 10-game road trip, there really isn't a safe landing spot to toss Sproat into the mix.
But that should not be a deterrent for a team that has watched Senga and Manaea struggle, has seen Peterson wobble a bit lately, and is smartly treading carefully with Holmes as he continues to add more innings to a season total that is already more than 70 past his prior career-high.
As far as how Sproat will fare if given the chance, there's only one way to find out.
McLean has been dominant since being called up and Tong showed moxie in his strong debut, but — as Mendoza explained last week before Tong's debut when he was trying to smack down any Tong/McLean comparisons — these prospects should not be compared to one another.
In any event, it could make sense for the Mets to have Sproat start Friday's series-opener against the Reds in Cincinnati, use Tong on Saturday, have Peterson go on Sunday, and skip Senga's turn to allow him time to work on some things.
In order to fit Sproat on the 28-man roster, the Mets could conceivably choose one of Brandon Waddell or Justin Hagenman to be sent back to Triple-A.
As far as how to fit Sproat in for the remaining three weeks or so of regular season games, that might be a bit of a juggling act. But it's an act worth doing as the Mets attempt to secure a postseason berth. They cannot simply keep trotting Senga and Manaea out there every sixth day and hope for different results.
If the Mets do indeed make the playoffs, Sproat can easily be added to the roster if he's deemed to be a fit.
The first step, though, is getting Sproat to the majors. And it's a step that should be only a few days away.
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