As the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline draws closer, the Mets expect to be in the market for a reliever to bolster the back end of the bullpen, according to people with knowledge of the team's thinking. But could that interest in pitching extend to seeking help for what suddenly is a beleaguered starting rotation?
"We'll take a look at what's there," general manager Sandy Alderson said Thursday.
The Mets' rotation has two arms that could undergo surgery before season's end: Matt Harvey to alleviate symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome and Steven Matz to remove a bone spur in his elbow that is causing pain.
Right-hander Logan Verrett will start in Harvey's place on Saturday and could remain in the rotation if needed. "We'll evaluate it, but right now, he'd be the guy that we'd lean towards," manager Terry Collins said.
Alderson said right-hander Gabriel Ynoa and left-hander Sean Gilmartin also could be options to join the rotation.
"We don't have the depth today that we had at the beginning of the season," Alderson said. "Probably no team in baseball does."
