The Mets didn’t expect to be talking about rotation concerns this early, but David Peterson has forced the conversation. His first outings of the season have been rough, and the left‑hander’s command issues have become an early storyline for a team that can’t afford to fall behind in a competitive NL East.
Peterson entered the year with a clear opportunity. With Kodai Senga sidelined and the rotation already thin, the Mets needed him to stabilize the back end. Instead, he’s opened the season searching for answers. His velocity hasn’t dipped, but his location has. Too many pitches have leaked back over the plate, and hitters have punished the mistakes.
Through his early starts, Peterson has allowed consistent traffic. The walks have piled up, the pitch counts have climbed, and the Mets have been forced into their bullpen earlier than planned. That’s not the formula for a team trying to stay afloat while waiting for reinforcements.
Command Issues Becoming a Pattern
Peterson’s biggest problem has been the same one that has followed him throughout his career: command. When he’s ahead in the count, he can work effectively with his slider and sinker. When he falls behind, he becomes predictable, and hitters sit on pitches they can drive.
The early numbers reflect that pattern. Opponents have jumped on his fastball when he’s behind, and his slider hasn’t generated the chase rate the Mets rely on. Even in short stretches where he’s looked sharp, the inconsistency has overshadowed the positives.
The Mets aren’t panicking, but they’re not ignoring the trend either. Peterson has always had the stuff to be a reliable starter, but the margin for error shrinks when the rotation is already stretched thin. With Senga still working his way back and the team leaning heavily on depth, every start matters.
Mets Need Stability, Not More Questions
The Mets built their offseason around pitching depth, but depth only works when the pieces hold up. Peterson was supposed to be one of those pieces. Instead, he’s become an early concern, and the team now has to decide how long they can wait for him to settle in.
Manager Carlos Mendoza has kept his tone measured, emphasizing patience and the belief that Peterson can correct his mechanics. But the reality is simple: the Mets need innings, and they need them soon. If Peterson continues to struggle, the club may have to consider alternatives, whether that means a bullpen role, a minor‑league reset, or giving another arm a chance.
A Crucial Stretch Ahead
The next few weeks will say a lot about where Peterson fits into the Mets’ plans. He doesn’t need to be perfect. He just needs to be steady. The Mets don’t have the luxury of waiting until June for him to find his rhythm.
For now, the team is giving him the runway to work through the issues. But the clock is ticking. The Mets entered the season with expectations of competing, not scrambling. If Peterson can’t turn the corner soon, the front office may have to make a move earlier than expected.
