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DENVER — Adam Ottavino has watched the Mets bullpen turn over this season, largely because of injuries but also with veteran pitchers released because of poor performance.
And at times Ottavino wondered if he might be next.
“It occurred to me that it could happen, but at the same time you can’t control it,” Ottavino said Wednesday before the Mets‘ 5-3 win over the Rockies at Coors Field. “I didn’t really try to worry about it. As far as I am concerned, the way I self-evaluate, I am still throwing the ball the way I want to for the most part, so I just have to try to live with the results.”
As the Mets near the return of relievers Reed Garrett and Sean Reid-Foley, roster spots will be needed.
Ottavino was blunt when asked if he thought he might get squeezed out by the Mets.
“I think it would be foolish to let me go,” he said.
The right-hander is unscored upon in six straight appearances — and eight out of nine.
Overall this season he had pitched to a 4.35 ERA in 43 appearances.
Most of his struggles occurred in May, when the Mets bullpen as a whole was imploding.
Ottavino in May pitched to a 9.28 ERA, but has been below 4.00 in each of the ensuing months.
Along the way, Ottavino’s role has shifted.
Seldom used in high-leverage spots, the 38-year-old has taken a backseat in the bullpen to pitchers such as Jose Butto, Phil Maton and newly acquired Huascar Brazoban.
Ottavino has dealt with it.
“I knew at some point it would happen,” Ottavino said. “It’s not easy to hold on to that job forever. You’re going to struggle at some point. It was my turn to struggle there for a little bit and I am just looking to contribute where I can.”
What is Ottavino happiest about with his recent body of work?
“Just my mentality,” Ottavino said. “Just continuing to be a pro and not worry about the wrong things and not be a problem for the team and being an ally for everybody out there and individually I’m just sticking with it.”
Ottavino’s shift included usage in a multi-inning capacity and matchup roles at various points.
He has managed to survive whereas veterans such as Jorge Lopez, Adrian Houser and Jake Diekman were dumped by the organization.
Several metrics have worked in Ottavino’s favor, including an average exit velocity against him of 86.4 mph that ranks in MLB’s 93rd percentile, according to Statcast.
Also, Ottavino’s strikeout rate of 30.3 percent ranks in the 91st percentile.
“Especially after some of the struggles he faced early in the year, he’s been great,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We saw 95 [mph] from him the other day in Anaheim, so he has been throwing the ball well. He’s attacking hitters and he’s been using all his pitches, so that is good to see.”
Edwin Diaz is the only reliever on the roster other than Ottavino who began the season with the Mets.
It’s been a bullpen ravaged by injuries in addition to the disappointing performances that led to others departing.
Ottavino is encouraged by the deals orchestrated by the front office before the trade deadline to import relievers such as Ryne Stanek, Maton and Brazoban.
“The guys they brought in are all pitching well,” Ottavino said. “Stanek and Phil both have pretty good track records. They added a lot and I think Brazoban is maybe the diamond in the rough … that was a big pick up for us that was maybe under the radar, but I think not only this year but for future years that could be a really good get for us.”
