Logan Verrett will be integral late-inning reliever for Mets

According to manager Terry Collins, as of Thursday Logan Verrett will take on the role of a late-inning reliever. Collins foreshadowed the move by describing Verrett as a potential seventh-inning candidate upon his promotion on August 18.

Verrett's shift to high-leverage situations is born of necessity, as the Mets have been unable to secure a bridge to Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia. Before his most recent call-up, Verrett had enjoyed a nice stretch out of the Mets' bullpen, producing a 0.73 ERA in 12.1 innings.

The role change doesn't come without its share of risk. Verrett, while almost certainly an upgrade over the likes of Bobby Parnell and Alex Torres, has limited relief experience throughout his career. Before this season, all of Verrett's professional baseball appearances—in both the majors and minors—have come as a starting pitcher. While he's pitched into some good luck this season—opposing hitters have posted a .214 BABIP against Verrett—his stats in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League check out (3.67 FIP with Triple-A Las Vegas). With the emergence of fellow relievers Sean Gilmartin and Hansel Robles, it will be interesting to see if the former Rule 5 draft pick Verrett can hold down his seventh-inning role.