38 Shaun Marcum, SP

Mets starting pitcher Shaun Marcum dropped his ninth consecutive decision Wednesday, in a 5-3 loss to the Braves.

Marcum struggled yet again, allowing five runs in 4 2/3 innings, the second start in a row he has allowed more runs than innings pitched. He surrendered the five runs on six hits and four walks, the latter being a season-worst mark.

Marcum struck out six batters in the outing, while throwing 55 of 96 pitches for strikes. His ERA rose to 5.76, while his record fell to 0-9.

The Mets are expected to move to a five-man rotation soon, which might not leave room for Marcum, given his struggles.  He is not currently listed among their probable starting pitchers moving forward, and the team has not announced their plans for him moving forward. 

Mets skipper Terry Collins had an interesting quote following Shaun Marcum's latest poor start Friday against the Cubs, SNY reports. 

"When it comes down to the time to make the decision, certainly I’m not sure salary is going to have anything to do with it," Collins said. "I think we’re going to take the five guys that we need to make sure are the best to go out there."

Marcum fell to 0-8 on the season with a 5.48 ERA in 10 appearances and eight starts. Marcum signed a one-year, $4 million contract before the 2013 season. He is next scheduled to start Wednesday at Atlanta. 

Mets starting pitcher Shaun Marcum endured a rough outing as he was pegged with his eighth loss of the season Friday night against the Cubs.

Marcum (0-8) served up a solo home run to Nate Schierholtz and gave up four more in the second. The right-hander permitted six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four in 5 2/3 innings pitched in a 6-3 loss.

Marcum remains winless through his first 10 appearances (eight starts). He has a 5.43 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP over that span. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at Atlanta. He owns a 3.97 ERA over two starts against the Braves this season.

After tossing 105 pitches in relief during Saturday's 20-inning affair with the Marlins, Mets starting pitcher Shaun Marcum will now make his next start Friday against the Cubs, manager Terry Collins announced Sunday. Marcum, who last made a start May 31, is winless in nine appearances (0-7) after taking the loss Saturday.

Mets starting pitcher Shaun Marcum was expected to have his next appearance pushed back to Tuesday after Thursday and Friday's rainouts, but the Mets were forced to use him in relief Saturday, in a 20-inning loss to the Marlins.

Marcum was a tough-luck loser in the game, as he took one for the team and threw 105 pitches out of the bullpen. He tossed eight strong innings, but had no margin for error as the Mets' offense went 0 for 19 with runners in scoring position.

Marcum allowed just one run in his eight innings, on three hits in the top of the 20th, but it was enough to earn him his seventh loss of the season. Marcum surrendered just five hits and no walks in the outing, while striking out seven batters.

Marcum is now 0-7 on the season, with a 4.96 ERA. Marcum was originally scheduled to start Tuesday, but the Mets will obviously have to juggle their rotation in the coming days to account for having used two starters in one game.