The Mets still don’t know who will pitch for them Friday night in Philadelphia.
New York originally planned on having Justin Hagenman either start or work as a bulk reliever in a bullpen game, but he ended up throwing the final 2.2 innings during Thursday’s series finale against the Braves.
Now they’ll have to turn elsewhere to start a huge three-game set.
Carlos Mendoza revealed postgame Thursday that the team is planning on going with a straight starter instead of a bullpen game due to the recent heavy usage and Blade Tidwell is among the arms in the mix.
Tidwell made his big-league debut earlier this season — allowing six runs on nine hits over 3.2 innings in a loss to the Cardinals.
The 23-year-old right-hander was roughed up during his last outing down in Syracuse but he had put together a strong stretch prior to that — allowing three or less earned runs over each of his last five starts.
He has a 4.76 ERA and 1.26 WHIP while striking out 73 batters on the year.
Fellow prospect Nolan McLean could also make sense as a potential option, but Tidwell seems to be a better fit at the moment since he is currently on the 40 Man roster and the Mets are only looking for a spot starter.
McLean has been spectacular this year — pitching to 2.08 ERA over 12 outings.
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