Joey Lucchesi's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The New York Mets optioned left-hander Joey Lucchesi to Triple-A Syracuse after Wednesday night's game and recalled left-hander Josh Walker from Syracuse in a corresponding move. In his spot start on Wednesday versus the division-rival, Lucchesi didn't fare well, allowing five runs over 4 1/3 innings of work while walking four and striking out two to take the loss. The 30-year-old southpaw was making his season debut for the Mets, but now he'll head back to the minors to serve as starting pitching depth for the organization. Walker, 29, will give the Mets' bullpen a fresh arm. He made his big-league debut last year and had an 8.10 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in just 10 innings. So far in 2024, Walker has tossed three shutout innings in relief while walking one and striking out three for the Mets.

New York Mets right-hander Jose Butto and left-hander Joey Lucchesi are the team's starting rotation options to replace Tylor Megill (shoulder) that are already on the 40-man roster. Megill landed on the injured list on Monday. Butto impressed club officials with a strong showing in spring training and was one of the final roster cuts. But he struggled with command and walked four in five innings in his first start with Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. Manager Carlos Mendoza said in February that Lucchesi showed up to spring training a bit behind other starters, although he threw five scoreless innings for Syracuse on Friday. Prospects Christian Scott and Mike Vasil will likely see time with the Mets in 2024, but it's unclear how early that might occur. If New York looks externally for pitching help, it could come in the form of veteran free agent Julio Teheran.

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said that the team prefers that their yet-to-debut pitching prospects like Mike Vasil, Christian Scott and Dominic Hamel pitch in the minors more before being asked to make their big-league debuts in the wake of right-hander Kodai Senga's (shoulder) injury. The rotation competition with Senga expected to open the year on the injured list will essentially be among Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi, Jose Butto and Max Kranick. Adrian Houser could be another option. Megill is probably the best bet and also offers the most upside for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. However, the 28-year-old righty struggled in 2023, posting a 4.70 ERA with 105 K's and 58 walks in 126 1/3 innings pitched over 25 starts.