We are one week into the 2021 MLB season for the New York Mets, and we are already seeing struggles with their bullpen, and coming up with runs with runners in scoring positions. Now, the Mets have pitcher Marcus Stroman upset after starting Sunday’s game amid heavy rain.
The pitcher lasted nine pitches on the mound before the game went into a 2 hour and 10 minute rain delay. Following a lengthy delay the game was suspended. The move highlights that despite the excitement surrounding this years club, so familiar dysfunction remains. After his second start of the season was wasted Stroman went to Twitter less than forty minutes after the game saying.
“This game should have never been started. Not smart at all. Those conditions put everyone at risk. Beyond happy no players on either side were injured. Hate that I have to wait another 5 days to pitch again. That’s a miserable feeling.” – Marcus Stroman tweet following the game.
In Major League Baseball, it is the home team that decides when the game starts. However, once the first pitch is put in play it becomes the umpires responsibility to call the game. The Mets elected to start play amid the rain at 1:10 and within 7 minutes plate umpire D.J. Reyburn sent it to delay.
In the seven minutes of play it was visible that it was affecting the play. On the mound, Stroman could be seen frequently asking for dry baseballs, and trying to dry his hands. Ultimately the stoppage occurred and it was clear it would be a long delay, and Stroman would not be back on the mound.
The Decision
When asked about the decision and if Stroman was consulted about the plan starting amid rainfall new Mets manager Luis Rojas said.
“This is the process,” the manager said. “The starting pitcher is usually not in the middle of the process of what we’re looking (at) there. The communication is the part that they trust. I think it comes down to a trust thing. And that’s what happened today.
“Stro heard the message that we were going, that we were good to play. And I think there was the trust of ‘OK, yeah, we’re going.’ It wasn’t the case. And I think that’s when we can be disappointed about the decision now. But now we’ve just got to move forward. I don’t think the process is going to change.”
When asked about the comments from Marcus Stroman shortly following the game, Rojas said.
“Stro is, is outspoken. He’s open, talking and he says what he feels,” Rojas said. “He did not share anything this morning. He gets read, he was doing his routine, he was just waiting for the communication, whether we were going to start on time or not.”
Field conditions
After news that the pitcher was unhappy began to circulate he again tweeted to clarify how bad of conditions the field was in for play.
“Lindor was standing in a puddle. Aguilar couldn’t hold his bat. I want to see everyone healthy for a full season!” Stroman tweeted.
Don Mattingly, the opposing team manager also spoke out about the poor field conditions. “The field got out of hand quick.” Mattingly said. “If they thought it was going to be like that, I don’t think they would have started.”
While the Mets chose to start the game, and start it with their number two pitcher, Mattingly went with his reliever. With the conditions visible prior to the game the Marlins manager elected to start with a pitcher from his bullpen rather than his rotation.
Now, it is unclear at this time which game Stroman will make his next start. It could be Friday. However, it is clear that New York mismanaged this decision and failed to preserve a start from the second pitcher in their rotation.
