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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Freddy Peralta is primed and ready to take on his new role.
The Mets’ newly appointed ace is set to command the mound on Opening Day. On Saturday, he showcased his prowess over four innings against the Astros, conceding just a single run.
Peralta is scheduled for one last exhibition game before the regular season kicks off.
During the Mets’ 8-2 loss to Houston at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the right-hander’s ability to generate swings and misses was on full display.
Although his velocity dipped slightly, averaging about 1 mph less than usual, Peralta remains unfazed by this minor fluctuation.
“Everything is getting where I want it to be,’’ Peralta said. “I don’t check my speed. I know myself. I know how I work when I get into the season and the intensity of the game is when I am who I really am. I know what to do.”
That’s true, he said, whether he’s pitching every five or six days, as the Mets could use a six-man rotation.
Manager Carlos Mendoza previously stated Peralta would be the one starter not impacted by that schedule but said that could change, depending on the team’s needs.
Peralta added Saturday he would be fine with pitching with added rest, as long as it was communicated early.
“It’s no problem,” Peralta said. “I’ve been in that situation before — for years. I know I can manage.”
Peralta is passing that veteran attitude and pitching IQ on to the other Mets starters, including Christian Scott.
The 26-year-old, returning from Tommy John surgery, made his second appearance of the spring Tuesday as he works back into major league form.
With the rotation likely filled by Peralta, Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea and David Peterson, Scott is trying to pick up as much as he can from Peralta while they’re in camp together.
He’s not alone in that attempt, as Peralta came from the Brewers highly respected, as well as successful and willing to impart his wisdom.
And Scott believes he’s uniquely qualified to be a student of Peralta’s.
“I want to pick his brain throughout the season for whatever I can learn,’’ Scott said.
“I know he strikes out a lot of guys,” Scott said. “That’s his calling card. For me, as a pitcher, that’s what I strive to do: Strike out guys at a high level. I watch outings and his delivery is a little more funky than other guys, but to be able to go out there and do it and make every start every year and be able to stay healthy, it’s mind-blowing. I’m trying to be the same way.”
Scott has only nine major league starts to his name, but struck out eight batters in six innings in his second start with the Mets in 2024.
Peralta, as Scott noted, has shown an ability to be productive and dependable.
Over the previous three seasons, the 29-year-old has made at least 30 starts, had 200-plus strikeouts and made a pair of All-Star teams.
And Scott knows it’s not simply because of talent, which is why he’s kept a close eye on Peralta all spring, even between starts, to see what he can learn.
“The first thing is that he’s the same guy every day at the field,” Scott said. “You know what you’re gonna get from him. I feel that’s underrated, especially over the course of the season. I’ve already seen how high the highs can be and how low the lows are. He’s been through it all for a bunch of seasons and been an All-Star. It’s cool to be able to see a guy like that, who stays consistent on a day-to-day basis.”
And Scott is also getting to know the work it takes to make that possible.
“His catch-play with his throwing program is very consistent,’’ Scott said. “It’s like he hits the glove with every single throw, every time he’s out there. I’ll go by and say ‘That’s beautiful’ and he laughs, but mine isn’t as good.”
He’s working on it.