BTREAKING: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza explains decision to leave in David Peterson

Apr 6, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23) is taken out of the game in the fifth inning by manager Carlos Mendoza (64) against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Mets starter David Peterson showed visible discomfort in the fifth inning but remained in the game for a few extra batters.

Strong pitching paved the way for the New York Mets on Sunday as they completed a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. While the bullpen was the highlight, their starter, David Peterson, saw his outing end on a strange note.

After issuing a two-out walk to All-Star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the fifth, the 6-foot-6 left-hander walked gingerly to the back of the mound and hunched over.

Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, who was on his way to make a mound visit, noticed Peterson’s distress and waved over the Mets’ trainers. Following a brief consultation with manager Carlos Mendoza, Peterson remained in the game.

Peterson’s next pitch was an 85.7-mph four-seamer—well below his average velocity of 93 mph—that was fouled off. Anthony Santander took the next four pitches high and away for a walk, which loaded the bases and drew Hefner back to the mound. Yet, Peterson was kept in.

He proceeded to plunk Andrés Giménez with his next pitch, bringing in a run. That prompted Mendoza to finally make the call to the bullpen.

After initially remaining in the game, David Peterson is taken out after hitting Andres Gimenez with a pitch

He appeared to tweak something after walking Vladimir Guerrero Jr. earlier in the inning pic.twitter.com/AsKSwHMVXU

— SNY (@SNYtv) April 6, 2025

When asked about Peterson after the game, Mendoza clarified that the southpaw’s visible discomfort was not due to an injury, but rather nausea.

“We went out there, and he said he felt like he got punched in the stomach. He had a little bit of blurry vision… that was it. Physically, he’s fine,” Mendoza said. He explained that going into the game, the Mets knew they were short in the bullpen and felt they needed Peterson to throw 90 to 95 pitches to get through it.

Carlos Mendoza says David Peterson is "physically fine"

Peterson told Mendoza that he felt like he'd been punched in the gut and had blurred vision pic.twitter.com/f5xcX0WdZ8

— SNY (@SNYtv) April 6, 2025

Since he was not injured, Mendoza hoped to get him through Giménez and close out the frame. Ultimately, Peterson was unable to do so and exited with 91 pitches. Over 4.2 innings, he threw 53 strikes, allowed one run on three hits and five walks, and totaled three strikeouts.

The Mets’ bullpen held strong the rest of the way. Right-hander Max Kranick, who inherited a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, induced an inning-ending popout and tossed 1.1 scoreless frames. He was followed by Reed Garrett, A.J. Minter, and Edwin Díaz, who put up zeroes during the seventh, eighth, and ninth to close out the 2-1 victory.

Kranick was credited with the win—his first in the big leagues since 2021. He has retired all but one of the 22 batters he has faced so far this season and has yet to allow a run. As a unit, New York’s bullpen currently ranks first in MLB with a 1.29 ERA.