Ranking 4 candidates to replace Adrian Houser in the rotation if his struggles continue

1) The Practical Choice: Tylor Megill

Tylor Megill is someone who the Mets will keep around beyond 2024 if for no other reason to use him the way they’ve used Peterson and Lucchesi in the past. Both of them will have their final minor league option utilized this year—Lucchesi’s already being executed in the preseason.

Megill, with one remaining after this season, is a far more important pitcher to learn about. The Mets already showed some faith in him by choosing the right-hander out of camp to replace Kodai Senga. It would make a lot of sense for him, after his rehab is over, to immediately go back to the Mets. It becomes even more likely if Jose Butto can pitch well.

Butto was the one who replaced Megill on the MLB roster when he went to the IL. So far, Butto has been impressive with some bumps along the way. The safe choice is to send Butto back down and we shouldn’t put it past the Mets to do exactly this.

It doesn’t make much sense for Megill to go back to the minor leagues. You can justify Butto because he began his year there. With Megill, who pitched well but not great in his one start of the season, it’s tough to hold him back when someone like Houser has been so bad.

Megill’s return will give the Mets the perfect excuse to move Houser out of the rotation and into the bullpen. Already making rehab starts on the same day as Houser is pitching, it seems perfectly aligned.

As deathly sick of Houser as we are, the hope should be for a turnaround. He’s currently scheduled to start on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs and once again the following Tuesday versus the St. Louis Cardinals on the road. A lack of Mets off-days should have them turning to a sixth starter at some point so Houser’s time in the rotation is likely to continue at least two more times through. Meanwhile, someone should get an audition and maybe force the club to demote him to a relief role.