The Mets let Canning throw 102 pitches over six innings against the Cardinals last time out, but he was lifted after 84 pitches in another effective outing tonight. He has a 3.12 ERA after five turns, and even with the early exits, he’s gone 3-1. He’s slated to face the Nationals on Monday, and he makes for a solid streaming option in a two-start week.

Canning was originally due to start Wednesday before being pushed back due to an illness. He obviously showed little effect of it tonight while racking up 16 whiffs and allowing just four hard-hit balls. He improved to 2-1 with a 3.43 ERA ahead of next week’s start against the Phillies.

There was some speculation from Newday’s Tim Healey that top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat was a potential option for Friday or Saturday, if Canning wasn’t feeling better. The fact that they’re not waiting to make a decision here suggest that Canning is definitely feeling well enough to take the ball after being scratched from Wednesday’s scheduled start due to illness.

No word yet on Griffin’s potential replacement, but top pitching prospects Brandon Sproat, Blade Tidwell, Nolan McLean all pitched recently in the upper minors and won’t be options. It could wind up being a bullpen game for the Mets unless they want to have David Peterson take the ball on short rest, which doesn’t seem ideal.