NEW YORK -- David Peterson’s fist pump was subtle, as fist pumps tend to be in the waning moments of a lost season. It was nonetheless a noteworthy action. Peterson had just struck out Xavier Edwards to complete a seventh scoreless inning on Thursday at Citi Field in what became a suspended game against the Marlins, which may resume on Monday if necessary.

Peterson was enthused to end his checkered season on a high.

“I felt like I had more in the tank,” he said, “and so I was glad that they let me go back out and get that seventh.”

• Highlights from suspended game

This was not the season Peterson envisioned when he reported to Spring Training as the Mets’ sixth starter -- their first line of defense against injuries and attrition. When José Quintana underwent rib surgery in March, it was Peterson who stepped into his rotation spot. But that was where things began unraveling. Peterson allowed five runs in his second start, six in his fourth and seven in his fifth. By mid-May, he held an 8.08 ERA.

At that point, the Mets demoted Peterson to Triple-A Syracuse, leaving him there for six weeks until a need arose in the Majors again. He returned to make three solid-enough starts before spending three weeks in the bullpen. Finally, Peterson returned to the rotation for good after the Trade Deadline. When he did, he looked to be a changed pitcher. Over 10 starts including Thursday’s outing, Peterson produced a 3.88 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings.

“I was sent down to get back to who I am,” Peterson said. “I think I came back up and showed that I was able to get back to that, and continue to build up success and use that success and continue to get better and take that into next year.”

What this all means for Peterson going forward isn’t entirely clear. In some form or fashion, the left-hander will be part of the Mets’ pitching depth equation in 2024. Arbitration-eligible for the first time, Peterson has alternated strong seasons with middling ones since entering the league in 2020. He may not begin next year as the Mets’ unquestioned sixth starter, as he did this March, but Peterson is still an obvious candidate to join Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi and José Butto as depth options -- along with anyone else the Mets acquire this winter.

Those decisions will come in time. On Thursday, following his start, Peterson was left with the rest of his teammates wondering if and when the game might resume. Only once that happens can his seven strong innings officially go into the books.

“We knew that [the Marlins] obviously wanted to play and that the game has implications for them,” Peterson said. “We were kind of just told to wait and hang around and see what happens. So that’s what we did.”