The Mets announced that RHP Tobias Myers will start Friday’s series opener against the Marlins in Miami.
Myers, 27, has not started a game this season, but Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had left the possibility open to use the reliever in that role following the injury to Clay Holmes. However, the Mets skipper said it would be tricky to get Myers stretched out to go deep into games. While not confirmed, it’s likely Myers will be used as an opener.
Myers was getting warmed up in the bullpen in the eighth inning if the Mets tacked on runs, but Devin Williams was called on to complete the save in Thursday’s series finale.
He last appeared in a game on May 18 against the Nationals, where he pitched 1.1 innings while throwing 25 pitches.
Myers has starting experience, 32 career starts, but has been used as the long man in the Mets bullpen.
The right-hander told SNY’s Chelsea Janes last Friday in the aftermath of Holmes’ injury that no one had approached him about replacing Holmes in the rotation, but confirmed that he’s not stretched out enough that he can start.
“At the moment, I’m [not stretched out to where I could start]. Maybe 35, 40 pitches,” Myers told Janes.
The Mets pulled prospect Jonah Tong from his Syracuse start earlier this week and Mendoza said that the right-hander is “in play” to be called up for the Miami series. That can still be the case with Tong piggybacking off of Myers’ start.
New York will start their series with the Marlins on Friday at 7:10 p.m.