Another spring training, another battle for a rotation spot for Tylor Megill.
The 29-year-old right-hander gave up a run on two hits, walked one and struck out two in 2 2/3 innings Tuesday, making his spring training debut in a 6-1 loss to the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla.
Megill beat out José Buttó for the final rotation spot last year after an injury to Kodai Senga. This year, injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas find Megill competing with Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning.
After tossing a scoreless first inning, Megill gave up a triple to Brendan Donovan and an RBI single to José Fermín in the second. He threw 47 pitches.
Ryne Stanek and Reed Garrett each threw spotless innings. Austin Warren was touched for two runs on three hits in the sixth inning, allowing a Nolan Arenado two-run double. Kevin Herget surrendered two more runs in the seventh as the Cardinals went up 5-0.
It was a quiet day for the Mets offense. Brett Baty, in a position battle of his own, continued a hot spring, going 1-for-2 with a walk. He is slashing .444/.500/.833. New York had five hits and didn’t break through for a run until Yonny Hernandez scored on an error in the eighth inning.
Francisco Alvarez (1-for-3, two strikeouts) and Jesse Winker (1-for-2) each had singles.
Player of the Game
Megill is looking to build on a fine September (2.45 ERA, 25 2/3 innings, five starts) that helped the Mets earn a playoff spot. He went 4-5 with a 4.04 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 16 appearances (15 starts) for the season. If he doesn’t earn a rotation spot, he could be used in long relief.
On Deck
The Mets have the day off Wednesday. On Thursday they play the Astros at 6:10 p.m. ET at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie. The game will be televised on SNY and MLB Network. Neither team has announced a starting pitcher.
