David Peterson’s Dominant Performance Leaves Rockies Stunned—Is He Mets’ Secret Weapon?

There’s something downright intriguing brewing with the Mets when it comes to David Peterson. The left-hander’s recent performances have turned heads, especially after a strong relief stint against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, where he managed four innings, two earned runs, and six strikeouts. Now, here’s the kicker — his ERA as a reliever this season stands at a nifty 2.45 over three appearances, compared to a worrying 8.10 in five starts. It’s a head-scratcher for sure.

New York’s caught in a bit of a dilemma: stick with Peterson as a starter — which is where his heart lies and where the team truly hopes he shines — or lean into the numbers that suggest he’s more effective out of the bullpen? His career data doesn’t paint a simplistic picture either, boasting a stellar 2.41 ERA in relief across 33.2 innings, and a respectable 3.14 in postseason appearances. Yet, as a starter, his record evens out, and while he dazzled in 2024 with a 2.93 ERA post-injury, last season’s fatigue showed, as his second-half faltered after a career-high workload.