Mets' Marcus Stroman Says He'll Make Next Start Despite Hamstring Injury

The New York Mets (66-60) are fighting for National League wild-card position, and Marcus Stroman isn't about to miss a chance to face one of the teams in the playoff race even with hamstring tightness.

"I'm going to make that start against the Cubs on Tuesday," Stroman said, per Tim Britton of The Athletic.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Stroman underwent an MRI that revealed the tightness. 

The right-hander started Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Cleveland Indians but was removed after just four innings and 62 pitches. 

New York turned heads when it traded for Stroman prior to the deadline instead of acting as a seller that was out of the playoff picture. He has been inconsistent at best for the Mets thus far with a 4.58 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 19.2 innings, but he was pitching some of the best ball of his career for the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the campaign.

He made his first All-Star Game with a 2.96 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 99 strikeouts in 124.2 innings and figures to help anchor the Mets rotation next year as well if he can rediscover that form.

New York has won four straight games and is 20-5 in its last 25. As a result, the Mets have climbed to within 1.5 games of the St. Louis Cardinals for the final NL wild-card spot, although the Cardinals are just a half-game behind the Cubs in the NL Central.

That means Stroman's start against Chicago on Tuesday could carry significant wild-card implications.