When the stakes were ratcheted up during the Mets' run through the postseason in 2024, David Peterson found his way onto the mound.
The 29-year-old lefty's role evolved for the most critical juncture. He picked up the series-clinching save with a perfect ninth inning, including two strikeouts, in the National League Wild Card against the Brewers. In the NLDS against the Phillies, Peterson's three scoreless innings in relief set the stage for a feverish eighth-inning comeback in a Game 1 win. Then, he was in the game when Francisco Lindor blasted a go-ahead grand slam and earned the win in Game 4.
With a resurgent campaign, Peterson firmly entrenched himself in manager Carlos Mendoza's circle of trust in 2024 and now headed into 2025. In 21 starts, the southpaw finished 10-3 with a 2.90 ERA — best among Mets starters — and 101 strikeouts in 121 innings.
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Now, after years of uncertain destinations by the end of spring training, Peterson is not only locked into the team's rotation but viewed as one of the key starters heading into the 2025 campaign. Peterson is set to make his first start against the Marlins on Monday in Miami.
"Even when I was watching him from the other dugout before the injury last year, I always thought he had really good stuff," Carlos Mendoza said. "Lefty with deception that threw strikes. There was always something about him and then you watch him go out there and perform and go through adversity. That’s one of the things — his ability to keep making pitches when he has to."
David Peterson's adjustments after hip surgery
A monotonous spring was a gift for the left-hander, who did not make his first start until May 29 last season after offseason hip surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. This season, Peterson closed his Grapefruit League action with one earned run allowed in 15⅔ innings and a 0.89 WHIP.
"I kind of know what my role is and know where I’m kind of gonna play out," Peterson told NorthJersey.com. "I feel like I have more opportunity where I’m actually working on stuff. We can experiment with some stuff and the results are not as weighted. It’s like we have a little more freedom to try stuff rather than trying to make my way on (the roster).
"I feel like it’s been good just being able to dictate my pace."
Peterson looks back at the surgery, which was performed in November 2023, as a major driver of his success last season. He could suddenly throw without pain or distractions brought on by that hip. The bad counts and arm-side misses dwindled.
Peterson's command sharpened. He threw first-pitch strikes 63.7 percent of the time last season — a career-high and 7.2 percent higher than 2023 when his WHIP was a career-worst 1.57.
"I think my spray chart of pitches kind of tightened up a bit," Peterson said. ...
