Mets manager Carlos Mendoza’s honest David Peterson assessment after Nationals series

The New York Mets received an encouraging performance Thursday as conversation surrounding David Peterson took a positive turn following the series finale vs. the Washington Nationals. Carlos Mendoza’s postgame remarks carried added significance after Peterson delivered his strongest outing since Opening Day, providing much-needed stability for a Mets rotation that has struggled to find consistency throughout May.

Peterson entered his start still searching for rhythm after moving between traditional starts, bullpen appearances, and bulk relief assignments during the opening stretch of the season. His first six starts reflected the uneven results, including rough outings vs. the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Washington earlier this spring. Before Thursday, the left-hander owned an 8.10 ERA as a starter, though his recent appearances out of the bullpen showed signs of improvement after he has posted a 2.50 ERA across his previous four outings.

Following the Mets’ 2-1 victory and series split at Nationals Park, SNY shared video on X, formerly Twitter, of Mendoza addressing Peterson’s performance during his postgame media availability. The Mets manager acknowledged the left-hander’s struggles earlier in the season while reiterating the organization’s belief in his ability to contribute as a starter moving forward.

“He’s a really good pitcher that went through struggles but we believe in him. Now it’s time for him to continue to do that and he will”

Carlos Mendoza on David Peterson's solid few outings of late

"He's a really good pitcher that went through struggles but we believe in him. Now it's time for him to continue to do that and he will" pic.twitter.com/NBNGOIFMda

— SNY (@SNYtv) May 21, 2026

Peterson rewarded that confidence with his most composed outing in weeks. After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, the left-hander settled in and allowed just one run across five innings while earning the win. The performance marked a major turnaround from his April 29 start against the Washington club, where he gave up seven earned runs in fewer than four innings pitched.

The outing also arrived at an important time for the Mets following starting pitcher Clay Holmes landing on the injured list with a fractured right fibula. For now, the Mets’ veteran southpaw may end up providing the stability the Mets needed entering another demanding stretch of the season.

The post Mets manager Carlos Mendoza’s honest David Peterson assessment after Nationals series appeared first on ClutchPoints.