The Mets are trying to limit Matt Harvey's innings. (Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports)
The New York Mets are planning to go with a six-man pitching rotation through early to mid-August.
Pitching coach Dan Warthen said after right-hander Dillon Gee makes a final rehab start on Wednesday night with Double-A Binghamton that the Mets likely will add the extra starter — a big change since major league teams expanded to a five-man rotation in the mid-1970s.
Warthen told ESPN.com that the objective is to have the starting pitchers make roughly 30 instead of the standard 33 starts during the regular season to save long-term wear on their arms.
The organization views the conservative innings counts as particularly important for right-hander Matt Harvey returning from Tommy John surgery. In addition, the teams wants to trim innings for young right-handers Jacob deGrom (178 2/3 innings in 2014) and Noah Syndergaard (137 innings).
Warthen said all of the pitchers had hesitance about the change.
“Even the sixth man was tough to convince,” Warthen said. “It is better for the player. It’s better for the organization, at least, until we get to where we feel like we have plenty of innings left in September and still have the possibility of innings left in October.”
Warthen said pitchers will throw two bullpen sessions between starts, with a light session two days after pitching and a more conventional session two days later.
“Our No. 1 concern is our pitchers, and our pitchers staying healthy,” Warthen said.
