Christian Scott‘s first Mets outing in almost two years was one to forget.
He lasted 1.1 IP after allowing one run on five walks, including 18 strikes on 43 pitches, in his return from Tommy John surgery.
“It was great to get out there with the team,” the 26-year-old RHP said after Thursday’s 10-8 win at Citi Field. “First, unbelievable job by the offense today, grinding out at-bats through all nine innings, did a great job against all their arms. Bullpen did a really good job, too … I didn’t do my job, but they did their job and that’s why we’re here with a win today.”
Scott struck out Byron Buxton to start the game before walking four of his next six batters and allowing a two-out run on Austin Martin‘s bases-loaded walk.
A four-pitch walk to start the second inning against Brooks Lee was followed by a fly out, but a balk and a hit batter on an 0-2 count forced manager Carlos Mendoza‘s hand.
“He didn’t have command,” Mendoza said. “Couldn’t throw the ball over the plate. The velo was there, but he lost the strike zone. It got kind of hard on him after that.”
Before debuting for New York (9-16) against Minnesota (12-13), Scott made three starts with Triple-A Syracuse. After a rough first outing, he rebounded in his subsequent two performances.
“I didn’t really have a good feel for anything today,” Scott said. “The fastball was up a lot, cutter was up a lot. Try to make adjustments in the zone and start nibbling. Got away from being competitive in the strike zone like I am. Wasn’t at my best, so learn from it, move on and turn the page.”
His last MLB start was July 21, 2024. He logged 47.1 IP over nine starts, pitching to a 4.56 ERA and 1.20 WHIP and showing flashes as one of the Mets’ top prospects.
“I don’t think so,” Scott said when asked if nerves factored into Thursday’s outing. “I was definitely excited to be here, for sure. … Once I started walking two or three guys, starting to nibble a little bit, start placing the ball in the strike zone instead of being confident with my stuff in the strike zone — wasn’t really who I am as a pitcher. So learn from it, move on and I trust my stuff. I have a lot of confidence that I belong here, so I’ve just got to do a better job of showing that and take advantage of the opportunities I get.
Scott will get another start “as of right now, yes,” Mendoza said. However, the Mets’ pitching options are in flux after the bullpen went 7.2 innings on Thursday.
“We’ve got to go back here and see where we’re at as far as bullpen for the next few days after being aggressive the past few days here and how much we use those guys,” Mendoza said. “… He’s going to continue to get opportunities. He’s a big part of this team, and he’ll be all right.”
Scott would be in line to start next Wednesday at the Washington Nationals.
“I feel like we’re past the ‘checkpoints’ part, really,” Scott said. “I’m just trying to go out there and compete and get as many wins as we possibly can. I felt great physically, so that’s definitely not it — that’s the reason why what happened today. … Learn from it, move on and bounce back.”
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