There’s a question every manager hopes he never has to address: Who is your team’s emergency position-player pitcher?

The question nearly came up earlier this season for the Mets, when they trailed the Miami Marlins 8-0 after three innings on April 11. After starting pitcher Steven Matz had given up seven runs and recorded only five outs, the bullpen was stuck with pitching the final 7 1/3 innings.

With...