Mets notes: Adrian Houser’s next start, reason for big lineup change

Before Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to the media about his team, including when Adriano Houser expected to return to the rotation, why the major lineup changes, and more.

Houser’s next start

Adrian Houser was supposed to return to the rotation this week, but he got up in the bullpen and couldn’t make it. However, Mendoza says the right-hander will start next Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians.

As a starter, Houser was ineffective. In six starts, he pitched to an 8.16 ERA and teams were hitting .287 off him. But his walks were the problem. In 28.2 innings as a starter, he walked 20 batters.

However, he saw some success as a reliever. In two relief appearances, he pitched four innings and gave up just one run and walked just three batters in four innings of work.

Houser’s start will push Christian Scott to start Friday’s game against the San Francisco Giants at home.

Reason behind lineup changes

With the Mets lineup struggling to score runs, Mendoza changed a lot. Francisco Lindor will reach the lead on Saturday with Brandon Nimmo – returning from a stomach problem that took him out of the last two games – hitting third place.

“Trying to create something different here,” Mendoza said. “Having two guys who care so much about the team and do whatever it takes to get the team moving means a lot.”

The first-year Mets captain said he approached Llindor and Nimmo about their lineup changes and they were receptive to it, and he’s thought about making a change in the past but also wanted consistency in the lineup. Saturday seemed like the right time to do it.

“Lindor, he is [hit leadoff] in the past, and I want him to get on base and pressure pitchers the way he runs the bases,” Mendoza explained. “I like Nimmo’s hitting with runners in scoring position and he gives me a left over the middle Pete [Alonso] It is J.D. [Martinez], there are a lot of different things involved in making these decisions.”

Kodai Senga and Drew Smith Updates

Mendoza confirmed that Kodai Senga will throw another bullpen on Sunday and that he feels Senga is getting closer to his mechanics to move on to the next step.

Senga’s last bullpen was on Wednesday and when asked if he thinks it’s normal that the bullpen sessions were so far apart, Mendoza reiterated patience.

“He’s a unique personality here,” he said. “He is a player who knows himself better than anyone and we will continue to give him time and everything he needs to get him back on the mound.”

Mendoza said they don’t want to pressure him and give him the time he needs to develop his mechanics and be physically capable of throwing regularly.

As for Drew Smith, he is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Monday or Tuesday. The reliever had a setback when he felt a pinch on the back of his shoulder while playing catch — he’s on the IL due to a front shoulder injury.

Mendoza said Smith is playing ball and no longer feels that pinch and is making progress.