The Mets should be encouraged by Adrian Houser but please keep him on thin ice

Adrian Houser picked up his first win for the New York Mets on Sunday in a 4-inning performance out of the bullpen. There was a lot to like about his performance even if he got bailed out by Harrison Bader against the first batter he faced.

Houser threw 44 pitches, allowed 2 hits, walked 1, and surrendered just 1 run. Efficiency is the best takeaway. While San Francisco Giants hitters were able to make contact against him with just two swinging strikes, they weren’t able to muster more than the lone run scored on a groundout.

The appearance could have gone much differently. If Matt Chapman’s flyball was a little further and Bader didn’t rob it, we’d be looking at Houser as the obvious choice to send away when David Peterson is activated on Wednesday. Instead, Houser looks to have bought himself a little more time on the Mets roster.

Mets pitcher Adrian Houser will need to have an outing like this again, and again to save his job

Now virtually unusable as a starting pitcher, the only thing for Houser is to be an effective long man. Other than a walk in the ninth to lead things off, he was perfect following the single to the third batter he faced in the sixth. The latest test received a passing grade. His next time could be a bit more challenging as the latest relief appearance took place with plenty of rest. Will he get less or too much the next time out?

The Mets should look at Houser on a game-by-game basis. Working in his favor is the ability to throw multiple innings. If he has an atrocious relief appearance but saves them from having to burn through some other relief pitchers, can the team justify keeping him around as a mop-up guy?

Houser has quickly gone from fifth starter to the role originally planned to be held by Michael Tonkin. Three relief appearances later, he is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA but still walking more batters than he has struck out. This needs to change and fast.

The Mets can afford to have Houser in the bullpen as long as they aren’t timid about cycling through starting pitchers within a five or six-man rotation. When Peterson returns on Wednesday, Josh Walker could get sent to the minors or they could have him replacing Tylor Megill or even Christian Scott. This isn’t a team well-built to sustain a strict six-man rotation but rather a mix or eight different options.

DFA’ing Houser is still very much on the table despite a successful relief appearance. Completely finished as a starter, he’ll need to be at his absolute best in order to remain with the Mets much longer. Drew Smith is working his way back from the IL as is Kodai Senga. The roster is getting crowded and unless Houser is consistently doing well, David Stearns will have no choice but to move on.