In the weeks leading into the trade deadline the Mets have addre sed the bullpen and bench. The big remaining question before Tuesdays 6 p.m. cutoff for deals might be whether the team will bolster the starting rotation. Just over a week ago, the Mets appeared covered in that area: Christian Scott was still a factor and Kodai Senga had been cleared for his season debut with the club. David Stearns has a plethora of pitching options to target ahead of the trade deadline. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST But with a sprained right ulnar collateral ligament and Senga left the field Friday with a strained calf . , Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Garrett Crochet and Chris Ba sitt still potentially available as the Mets began their series against the Twins on Monday, president of baseball operations David Stearns certainly had options. But would the Mets strike a deal for a starting pitcher? Explore More I dont know how Jeremiah Alexander Jersey long Scott is going to be out, but that would be good to have somebody to help us out there, Luis Severino said. Tommy John surgery still hasnt been ruled out for the rookie Scott, who will rest for at least another week before he is evaluated, so it would behoove the Mets not to count on the right-handers return. The Mets also have Jose Butto as an internal option that could bolster the rotation, and for now at least is too valuable in that role. The Mets never seriosuly considered Blake Snell this past offseason. AP Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, was never seriously considered by the Mets last offseason because of the contract length he was seeking and the fact he was extended a qualifying offer meaning the team that signed him would be required to surrender a draft pick. But Snell settled for a two-year deal worth $62 million with the Giants that includes an opt-out after this season and the qualifying offer is no longer a factor. After a sluggish first half to the season, Snell has pitched to a 0.75 ERA over his last four starts. I think he is coming back to his old self, Severino said. It would be really fun to have somebody like that. on Friday in a deal for minor league outfielder Rhylan Thomas. A day later in a trade that sent pitching prospect Tyler Stuart to the Nationals. Jose Butto has emerged as a force out of the bullpen for the Mets. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Stearns also dealt before the All-Star break, for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The Mets planned a six-man rotation upon Sengas return, but that has been scuttled with his injury. For now, its Severino, Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana, David Peterson and Tylor Megill to carry the load. Without a trade for a starting pitcher, the Mets best hope might be to wait for relievers such as Reed Garrett, Dedniel Nunez and Sean Reid-Foley all are projected to return in August and hope that will be enough to allow Butto to shift back to the rotation. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Butto has dominated as a reliever and the Mets might be best served keeping him in that role. But on Monday he was used for a three-inning save in which he threw 44 pitches and manager Carlos Mendoza later acknowledged that the right-hander is stretching out in case hes needed as a starter. Well worry about that [decision] if we get there, Mendoza said before the game. But as of right now hes a huge piece of our bullpen and we are going to use him that way. Well see what happens, five days, 10 days, two weeks from now. A proven starting pitcher would again allow the Mets to consider a six-man rotation, which could help a workhorse such as Severino, who leads the Mets with 120 / innings pitched. Severino hasnt pitched that many innings since 2018 with the Yankees. But the right-hander said he and the organization will be smart in their approach during summers dog days. I think the guys here know that at say 145 innings, lets try to keep it to 80 pitches, Severino said. I think they will try to be smart about that and if I feel tired or feel something I will tell them. But right now I feel really good. Jihaad Campbell Jersey