Ahead of what might have been his final game at Citi Field as manager of the Mets, Luis Rojas looked back on his two years at the helm.
Rojas was proud of the clubhouse chemistry he oversaw, but knew the Mets came up short where it mattered most.
“We haven’t achieved what we wanted to achieve,” Rojas said Thursday before the Mets’ 12-3 win over the Marlins. “But first of all, the atmosphere in the clubhouse has been, for me, one of the most important things that I can think of these last two years here. How everyone gets along in the clubhouse, how everyone prepares and gets ready to play. Even though we haven’t gotten the results, that’s the one thing I want to single out. It’s been pretty special with both groups.”
Rojas, who has a team option for 2022, entered Thursday 101-117 as manager of the Mets.
Team president Sandy Alderson said Wednesday that the organization would likely make a decision on Rojas and his coaching staff before hiring a president of baseball operations.
Luis Rojas APThe Mets aren’t making a playoff push, but they have some former teammates making noise on the opposite coast. Chris Flexen and Paul Sewald — not to mention former prospect Jarred Kelenic — are playing a big part in the Mariners’ push for an AL wild-card spot.
Flexen, who had an 8.07 ERA in 27 games (11 starts) as a Met, owns a 3.67 ERA across 30 starts for the Mariners. Sewald, who registered a 5.50 ERA in four seasons out of the Mets bullpen, has a 2.73 ERA in Seattle with 11 saves.
“Knowing Sewald for years, he’s a really good pitcher,” Rojas said. “He was trying to find some stuff here, even changing slots, but I think he has his natural one slot that he had throughout the minor leagues.
“Just a lot of guys that found themselves to perform like they did in the minor leagues when I saw them being successful. Sometimes guys coming from the minor leagues to the big leagues to this stage in New York, they go through a process. They both went through the process and they happen to be pitching like they did in the minor leagues for us.”
Rich Hill gave up three runs (two earned) over five innings to complete his season with his first win as a Met. The 41-year-old lefty, who was acquired in a July trade with the Rays, finished the year with a 3.86 ERA — 3.84 in 13 games with the Mets.
“It was emotional,” Hill said. “It meant a lot.”
Hill said he “definitely” wants to pitch again next season and doing it for the Mets “would be something I would truly look forward to.”
Pete Alonso hit home runs No. 36 and 37 — and came within a few feet of making it a three-homer night.
Marcus Stroman’s strong season appears to be over. He was in line to start Sunday’s season finale against the Braves, but the Mets altered their rotation for the series and now Noah Syndergaard will be the opener for Sunday with a bulk pitcher to be determined.
Rookie Tylor Megill will start Friday, followed by Trevor Williams on Saturday. Rojas said Carlos Carrasco could also factor in at some point during the weekend.
Robert Gsellman (torn lat) will be on the Mets’ taxi squad to Atlanta and has a chance to be activated during the final series if the Mets open a roster spot.






