According to Assistant General Manager John Ricco, left handed reliever Josh Edgin is making progress from Tommy John surgery and could be ready around opening day. Edgin has not had any setbacks in his recovery, and could be an effective weapon out of the bullpen next season if he returns to full health.
“It’ll be about a year out right around Opening Day, and he’s progressing, hasn’t had any setbacks to this point,” Ricco said. “So you got to remember Billy Wagner was ready right around a year — in maybe even less than a year — but Bobby Parnell last year took a little bit longer.”
“It’s too early for me to give you a timeframe other than it’ll be a year right around Opening Day. I think he’s throwing off the slope here shortly or he might have already started that.” (Maria Guardado, NJ.com)
Edgin, 28, had an excellent 1.32 ERA during 27.1 innings pitched in 2014. He also struck out 28 batters, had a 0,91 WHIP, 4.67 K/BB and 266 ERA+ in 47 appearances. For his career, he’s dominated left handed hitters as he’s held them to a .198 average and .627 OPS.
However, Ricco cautions that the Mets can’t rely on him too much since he’s still working his way back from a serious injury.
“I just think because of the nature of the injury, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket with a guy who’s coming off Tommy John,” Ricco said, “That being said, we think he’s going to contribute to us and be a part of 2016.”
This means that free agent lefties Tony Sipp and Antonio Bastardo are still potential targets for New York. Sipp posted a 1.99 ERA in 54 innings for the Astros last season with 62 strikeouts. Meanwhile, Bastardo had a 2.98 ERA and held lefties to a .138 average.
Reuniting with Jerry Blevins is another possibility. Blevins appeared in only seven games last year because of injury, but made a strong impression as he did not allow a single baserunner in five innings.
