Mets designate Aaron Laffey for assignment, recall Robert Carson

After a dreadful relief outing yesterday against the Nationals and a pair of ineffective starts, the Mets have designated left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey for assignment. In his place, at least for now, the team has promoted 24-year-old Robert Carson from Triple-A Las Vegas. Carson is at Citi Field and available for today's game against Washington.

Called up to fill in for Shaun Marcum shortly after the season began, Laffey posted a 7.20 ERA and 4.62 FIP in ten innings over two starts and two relief outings with the Mets. Laffey is out of options, which means he'll have to pass through waivers. Laffey can also refuse an outright assignment to the minors if he's not claimed on waivers.

Carson was briefly in the big leagues last year and wasn't very good in his 13.1 innings of work. In the minors, however, he's been effective, particularly through his first eight appearances for Las Vegas. He gives the Mets three left-handed pitchers in their bullpen for now, but one of them will likely be demoted when the Mets next need a fifth starting pitcher.

Given the team's schedule, it looks like that will come on Saturday at home against the Phillies. Per Marc Carig of Newsday, the Mets are banking on Marcum to return to pitch that game. If he's not ready, though, it seems Collin McHugh is in line to get the start.