PITTSBURGH — Stro’ Time is upon the Mets.
“I am the type of guy who gets excited every time I go out there, but this is even more because it’s New York and I’m in a new environment,” Marcus Stroman said Friday before the Mets’ seven-game winning streak was snapped after an 8-4 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park.
His assignment Saturday night in his Mets debut is to get his new team back on the winning track. Stroman arrived in a trade last weekend that sent pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson to the Blue Jays.
Stroman hasn’t pitched since July 24, but manager Mickey Callaway said he doesn’t anticipate rust will be a factor. Stroman was 6-11 with a 2.96 ERA this season for the Blue Jays.
“He has such a good feel, he’s such a good athlete that I’m not really concerned about [the layoff],” Callaway said. “I’ve seen this guy pitch a lot in the past and he’s got such a good feel. He probably can step out of bed in the offseason and start throwing his curveball for strikes, that is the kind of feel he has.”
Stroman has watched video with Wilson Ramos in recent days and had dialogue with the veteran catcher as the two begin their new relationship. Tomas Nido caught Stroman’s bullpen session earlier in the week with Ramos watching. It will be Ramos behind the plate Saturday for Stroman, according to Callaway.
Stroman said he is ready for this next chapter of his career.
“When I get out there I am a competitor, so when I get out there I just let my adrenaline and competition mindset take over,” Stroman said.
Chris Mazza was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to give the Mets a multi-inning relief option as Monday’s doubleheader against the Marlins approaches. Callaway said Mazza, who did not pitch Friday, could potentially start one of the games in the doubleheader. Stephen Nogosek was optioned to create space for Mazza.
Juan Lagares , who was unavailable to play the previous two games because of sickness, was an option if needed off the bench Friday, but did not play.
MLB overruled an official scoring decision from Thursday in Chicago and awarded Ramos a two-run single in the sixth inning. The official scorer had given Ramos only one RBI, and an error to catcher Welington Castillo, who dropped a throw from right field as the second run scored.