Mets to open with Brazoban ahead of Peterson

The Mets will use Huascar Brazoban as an opener ahead of David Peterson in the Subway Series middle game, with Anthony DiComo reporting the move from the Mets’ pitching plan. The decision gives New York a bullpen-first look for a game it had entered without naming a starter.

Peterson’s fourth opener assignment

This will be the fourth time the Mets have used an opener this season, and in all four cases the opener came with Peterson as the bulk arm afterward. Brazoban is set for his third such appearance, while Tobias Myers handled one of the earlier turns on May 10 at Arizona.

Peterson has pitched exclusively as a starter in 2024 and 2025, with 51 starts between the two seasons. This year, he has made four starts and posted a 6.41 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 10 walks over 19.2 innings.

Peterson behind Brazoban

The split in Peterson’s results explains why the Mets keep returning to this setup. In all four games in which Peterson has pitched in relief, he entered no earlier than the third inning, and as a reliever he has held opposing hitters to a.222/.246/.365 slash with 12 strikeouts and one walk.

Clay Holmes handled the series opener, and Freddy Peralta is scheduled for the finale. Holmes suffered a fractured fibula when he was struck by a Spencer Jones 111.1 MPH line drive, which has left the Mets leaning further on their rotation depth for the middle game.

Rotation depth around Syracuse

Kodai Senga threw a bullpen session on May 13, while Jonah Tong last appeared on May 14. Jack Wenninger has made seven starts with Syracuse in 2026 and has a 1.08 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 18 walks in 33.1 innings, giving the Mets additional names to track if they need more cover behind Peterson.

The immediate change for the Mets is simple: Brazoban gets the first inning, and Peterson follows in bulk if the plan holds. For fans watching the middle game, the first true pitching handoff will come before the matchup settles into its usual starter-versus-starter shape.