The New York Mets have made another significant change to their pitching staff, removing former All-Star starter David Peterson from the rotation after his inconsistent performances continued to hinder the club’s efforts to recover from a disappointing start to the 2026 season. The decision marks a dramatic fall for Peterson, who was one of the Mets’ most reliable pitchers just a year ago but now finds himself shifting into a bullpen role as the organization searches for answers.
According to reports, Peterson will be available as a reliever beginning Sunday, while fellow left-hander Sean Manaea is expected to assume a larger role in the starting mix. The Mets have not yet clarified whether Manaea will work as a traditional starter or continue the club’s recent strategy of pitching behind an opener, a tactic that had previously been used with Peterson.
The move underscores the instability that has plagued New York’s rotation throughout the season. Injuries, underperformance, and constant adjustments have left the Mets scrambling to find dependable innings from their starters. Peterson’s demotion is particularly notable given how successful he was during the first half of 2025. Last season, the left-hander earned his first career All-Star selection after posting a stellar 3.06 ERA while regularly pitching deep into games and helping keep New York in postseason contention.
However, his production declined sharply during the second half of last season. Control issues resurfaced, his walk rate increased, and opposing hitters began finding consistent success against him. As Peterson struggled, the Mets also collapsed down the stretch, missing out on a National League Wild Card berth after a devastating late-season slide that ended with a season-ending loss to the Miami Marlins.
The struggles have carried over into 2026. Peterson opened the year with several difficult outings, allowing runs at an alarming rate and failing to provide stability in the rotation. In an effort to maximize his effectiveness, the Mets experimented with using him behind an opener. The adjustment initially produced encouraging results, as Peterson excelled in a bulk-relief role, posting a strong ERA while significantly improving both his strikeout and walk rates.
That success earned him another opportunity in the rotation. After a strong outing against the Washington Nationals, the Mets gave Peterson another start, hoping he had turned a corner. Instead, he was hit hard by the Cincinnati Reds, surrendering six runs on 11 hits and reigniting concerns about his ability to handle a starting role.
The demotion comes at a time when the Mets desperately need better results from their rotation. The pitching staff has been one of the club’s biggest disappointments this season. Injuries have further complicated matters, with Clay Holmes sidelined for months due to a fractured fibula after emerging as one of the team’s most dependable starters.
Rookie sensation Nolan McLean also cooled off after a spectacular start to his campaign. Once considered the frontrunner for National League Rookie of the Year honors, McLean has struggled in recent outings, allowing 16 runs across his last two starts.
Meanwhile, expectations have not been fully met by veteran Freddy Peralta, who was acquired to anchor the top of the rotation. Although he has delivered flashes of quality pitching, he has struggled to consistently work deep into games and has battled command issues, leaving the Mets without the dominant ace-level performances they anticipated.
As the rotation continues to search for stability, the organization has been forced to rely on younger arms such as Zach Thornton and Jonah Tong. Both pitchers have received opportunities to contribute, though neither has yet emerged as a long-term solution.
The Mets are also eagerly awaiting the return of ace Kodai Senga, whose recovery from lumbar spine inflammation appears to be nearing completion. Senga recently progressed to an 80-pitch rehabilitation outing and is expected to make one more rehab start before rejoining the major league roster. His return could provide a much-needed boost to a rotation that has struggled to find consistency throughout the season.
For Peterson, the bullpen assignment represents both a setback and an opportunity. While his removal from the rotation highlights how far his stock has fallen since his All-Star campaign, it also offers him a chance to rediscover his effectiveness and potentially work his way back into a larger role as the season progresses.
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