SAN FRANCISCO — As the Mets have struggled to receive length from their starting pitchers, the bullpen has been pushed hard over the first month, with positive results.
Entering Wednesday, the Mets are first in the National League with a 2.99 ERA from their relievers. Strong performances from a group that has included Edwin Diaz, Reed Garrett, Brooks Raley, Drew Smith, Adam Ottavino, Jorge Lopez and Jake Diekman have been the norm.
The question is whether it’s sustainable for a team that has averaged roughly five innings (4.99) per start from starting pitchers over the first 23 games.
It has left manager Carlos Mendoza to regularly deploy four relievers on a given day.
“I think it’s definitely something that is reasonable, to ask the starters to go deeper into games,” pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said before the Mets’ 5-1 loss to the Giants on Tuesday in which starter Luis Severino logged six innings. “But [the relievers] are ready for it and prepared for whatever is required of them.
“Is it sustainable? Yes, I do think it is, because I do think Mendy will do our due diligence about them getting their rest, which we’ve already shown this year with not pitching certain guys in up games and trusting the other guys can get the job done.”
It’s that trust factor that has allowed Garrett, in particular, to blossom. The journeyman right-hander hasn’t allowed an earned run in six appearances, with 21 strikeouts in 10 ²/₃ innings. He earned his first career save Saturday when he struck out the side in the ninth inning against the Dodgers.
The Mets have also been aggressive in shuffling relievers to ensure there are enough fresh arms. That has meant three times designating a reliever for assignment — Michael Tonkin (twice) and Yohan Ramirez — while bouncing others between Triple-A Syracuse and the major leagues.
If there is one reliever Hefner is monitoring at this point for potential overuse it’s the veteran Lopez, whose 12 appearances lead the team, two more than the next-most frequently used reliever, Drew Smith.
“There’s probably a case to be made that Lopey has been out there a bit more than everybody else,” Hefner said. “But he’s responded well, and we’re not putting him in an unfair position.”
Smith has shown early signs that his results can match his stuff. The right-hander has pitched to a 2.70 ERA and shown he can be trusted in high-leverage spots.
The veteran Ottavino remains dependable, and Diekman has rebounded from sluggish appearances early to help solidify lefty relief. Diaz, despite a dip in velocity, remains an elite late-inning presence.
Raley was placed on the injured list Sunday with elbow inflammation, giving lefty Josh Walker an opportunity. Sean Reid-Foley returned from the IL to pitch in Monday’s loss to the Giants.
“In my five years here this is the most depth that we’ve had, and that is very comforting,” Hefner said. “If somebody goes down, a Brooks Raley goes down, and you have a Josh Walker or Sean Reid-Foley or Grant Hartwig or Reed Garrett that can come in. Nobody is going to replace Brooks, but we’re pretty dang close.
“We have a lot of unique people, and I am very proud of them. They met the challenge we put forth in spring training about attacking the zone and sticking to their individual processes and carrying it into the season.”
