ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After six poor starts, Adrian Houser will get a new role for at least a turn through the rotation. 

The Mets righty has been demoted to the bullpen, Carlos Mendoza said Friday before beginning a series against the Rays at Tropicana Field, after another dud from Houser and after the promotion of top pitching prospect Christian Scott. 

Houser allowed four runs in five innings in a win over the Cubs on Thursday, an outing that actually lowered his ERA to 8.16. 

Mendoza said the move is not necessarily permanent, but Houser will not make his scheduled next start and be available out of the pen. 

His long-term future likely will depend upon his own ability to bounce back, the effectiveness of Scott and the health of the group of rehabbing starters that includes Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill and David Peterson.