Carlos Torres received unexpected news when he arrived at Citi Field Monday morning — he was that afternoon’s starting pitcher.
Torres, who pitched in relief Sunday, became the fourth pitcher in Mets history to start a game on zero days’ rest, joining Dan Wheeler, Kevin Kobel and Craig Anderson. Torres was thrust into the role after Bartolo Colon was scratched and flew to the Dominican Republic to be with his mother, who passed away Monday afternoon.
Entering the game having allowed 10 runs in his previous 11 ²/₃ innings and with a 5.61 career ERA as a starter, Torres turned in a terrific outing in the Mets’ 4-1 loss to the Cubs, opening the game by striking out the side. Through three innings, the 31-year-old had registered five strikeouts, while allowing only one hit.
The veteran right-hander faced his only trouble in the fourth inning, allowing the Cubs to load the bases after a walk and two singles, but Torres escaped unscathed after striking out Welington Castillo to end the inning. He received a no-decision after pitching five shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks, with six strikeouts.
Torres was the first pitcher to throw at least five shutout innings in a start on no rest since Philadelphia’s Bruce Ruffin, in June 1991.
“He’s done an amazing job,” said Terry Collins. “That’s really a tough assignment, especially when he pitched [Sunday] to have to come back and pitch the next day. He gave us five quality innings and just ran out of gas. We just couldn’t give him any help.”
Colon will be placed on bereavement leave Tuesday. He told ESPN Deportes his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It’s a situation where you’re trying to be strong, but you cannot,” Colon said at the time. “Everyone in the family is very worried, hoping the results come out negative. But when you hear the word cancer, you always think the worst.”
With Colon on leave for up to seven days, Gonzalez Germen will join the Mets Tuesday. Germen posted a 4.78 ERA in 21 appearances with the Mets this season, but the 26-year-old right-hander is 2-0 with a 0.52 ERA in 14 minor league appearances since being sent down on July 8.
Daisuke Matsuzaka is still scheduled to make another rehab appearance with Single-A Brooklyn later this week. … Collins said second baseman Daniel Murphy will likely get a day off this week, possibly on Tuesday against the Mets’ former top prospect, Oakland lefty Scott Kazmir. … Travis d’Arnaud allowed his 12th passed ball of the season, tying Colorado’s Wilin Rosario for the major league lead.