The New York Mets will again adjust their pitching approach this afternoon against the Colorado Rockies, with left-hander David Peterson scheduled to enter the game following an opener in Denver.
The decision reflects the Mets’ ongoing effort to stabilize a rotation that has been inconsistent in recent weeks. Peterson, in particular, has struggled significantly this season, and the club appears to be leaning on a bullpen-supported strategy in hopes of getting him back on track in a more controlled environment.
Earlier this season, Peterson was briefly moved out of the rotation and into the bullpen for two appearances as the Mets dealt with depth issues. He was later reinstated as a starter, including a recent outing against the Washington Nationals, but continued to have difficulties. In that start, he allowed seven earned runs on five hits while issuing three walks over just 3.2 innings, pushing his season ERA to 6.53.
Across five starts in 2026, Peterson has yet to find consistency, with command issues and elevated run totals contributing to his early-season struggles.
Despite those numbers, the Mets are hoping a return to a piggyback-style role will help reset his performance. Interestingly, Peterson has shown more effectiveness when pitching after an opener this season, which may have influenced the team’s decision to deploy him in that manner again.
There is also reason for cautious optimism based on his track record against Colorado. Peterson has historically performed well against the Rockies, holding a 3–1 record with a 1.99 ERA in previous matchups. One of his most notable outings came at Coors Field in 2024, where he limited Colorado to one run on five hits over five innings.
With the Mets looking to avoid further inconsistency in their rotation—and to rebound from a recent sweep at the hands of Colorado—Peterson’s performance in this adjusted role could be an important indicator of whether he can regain form as the season progresses.
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