The returns of Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea will help the situation immensely, but another starter could still be needed at the trade deadline. There are a lot of candidates who could make sense as durable innings-eaters for the Mets to slot into the number-three or four spot in their rotation,

In a July 2 article, The Athletic's Jim Bowden (who has worked as a GM for the Reds and the Nationals in the past) listed the New York Mets as top potential destinations for two Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers.

The Pittsburgh Pirates battled back from an early deficit, but still missed out on a victory, losing 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stad

The Kansas City Royals are 7-2 in July so far after slugging their way to a three-game series sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, July 9.

Salvador Perez homered twice, Jac Caglianone hit the longest measured homer by a Royals rookie, and Kansas City beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 to complete a three-game sweep