ST. LOUIS — Tobias Myers’ first two appearances with the Mets have offered a reminder that he was more than just a throw-in by the Brewers in the Freddy Peralta trade.
The right-hander has been sharp in his first two outings, including his 1 ¹/₃-inning stint in relief Monday, when he struck out three against the Cardinals.
Myers, who did not pitch in Tuesday night’s 3-0 loss to the Cardinals, pitched three innings on Opening Day against the Pirates and allowed one earned run on one hit.
He began last season in the Brewers starting rotation, and after a demotion to Triple-A returned as a multi-inning reliever.
“It’s very similar to what I was doing the last two months last year,” Myers said Tuesday of his long-relief role. “It’s a little bit more guided, I think, early on, but honestly it feels kind of similar.”
Myers said he takes the mentality that he’s got to be ready at any moment.
“That definitely helps me a little bit,” he said. “Down there, the role I am in, it could be the first inning, could be the ninth, could be the 14th inning. So I am kind of moving around pretty consistently down there and try to keep myself ready for any time that phone rings.”
Myers built up to 60 pitches in spring training, positioning himself to join the starting rotation if there was a need. He threw 39 pitches in his Mets debut and 14 in his Monday appearance.
“I went [39] pitches last week, and if I go 50 next week, I don’t see that being a big issue, as long as I am kind of ready for it,” Myers said. “But just throw it until [manager Carlos Mendoza] tells me I am done.”
Jorge Polanco was on the bench to rest a sore left Achilles on Tuesday, but Mendoza indicated he would likely return to the starting lineup for Wednesday’s series finale. It’s unclear if that will include playing first base.
“We’re in the middle of a nine-game stretch and [Polanco] was going to get a day anyway,” Mendoza said. “He was going to either get today or [Wednesday] … He woke up today and he’s in a good spot.”
Jared Young started a second straight game at first base Tuesday night and picked up one of the Mets’ three hits, and Mark Vientos, in his first start first this season went 0-for-2.