3 important starting rotation questions the Mets will need to address in the coming weeks

2) How do they utilize a six-man rotation around a roster without much flexibility?

The Mets lack roster flexibility—a problem they’ve solved at times only a tad since Opening Day. Adrian Houser moving to the bullpen isn’t something they will need to force. If he can’t be a competent relief pitcher even as a mop-up guy, he needs to go. No one, right now, needs to take up roster space.

In the bullpen, the Mets have essentially one movable part. Reed Garrett does have options, however, he has been far too excellent to consider sending down. Sean Reid-Foley has been too good to DFA, too.

A six-man rotation will shorten any team’s bullpen, unless the Mets opt to make it a much bigger scheme. It’s probably the only way the Mets can get it to work. With Drew Smith bound to take the roster spot away from the optional bullpen spot when he returns from the IL, the Mets will have to creatively option and recall players like Scott and Butto as needed. MLB requires 10 days before a player can be recalled outside of being an injury replacement. In which case, it helps to have a third option if the team wants a consistent group of six spots.

It’s very easy to do although it requires constant roster manipulation. Add Tylor Megill and David Peterson into the mix. Allow Joey Lucchesi to be the emergency option when the timing or performance doesn’t line up.

Carrying six starting pitchers will never be necessary for the Mets. It’ll be a constant cycle. Scott might start one day and get sent down the next only to be replaced by a reliever who will then get replaced by a starter immediately when he is needed. Then a second reliever replaces him and a second starter replaces this guy.

It’s dizzying but it can work. Let’s just hope everyone is performing and amenable to the plan.