Bartolo Colon’s next start likely will come for the Mets.
Though the veteran right-hander began the month as the most likely Mets player to be traded before Thursday’s 4 p.m. deadline, club officials Wednesday were expecting to retain him, at least for now.
Colon is owed roughly another $3 million this year and $11 million for 2015, and the Mets want any potential trade partner to assume that entire financial commitment.
A team insider said it’s highly unlikely the Mets would assume a small percentage of Colon’s contract, even if it meant receiving a better prospect in return.
The Mets’ belief is they still can make a waiver deal involving Colon in August if they choose. The club also could wait until the offseason in an attempt to move him.
Colon, 41, is expendable because of the Mets’ influx of young pitching talent. Colon is 10-8 with a 3.88 ERA in 21 appearances for the Mets and has dominated in his last two starts.
The Mets have won four consecutive series at Citi Field in the same season for the first time since 2010. Over that stretch, the Mets are 10-3 and have won series against the Rangers, Braves, Marlins and Phillies.
Jeurys Familia said he wasn’t surprised manager Terry Collins let him bat in the seventh inning with the Mets leading 8-2. Familia, who threw one pitch after entering the game in the top of the inning and retired Marlon Byrd, delivered an RBI single.
“I saw we had a couple of runs lead and [Collins] wanted to leave me to hit,” said Familia, who is 2-for-2 this season.