In a preview piece for The Athletic, Tim Britton claims that right-handed pitcher Walker Lockett and middle infielder Gavin Cecchini are both expected to be placed on the minor-league injured lists.
Lockett, who was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse during the second round of spring training cuts, has been shelved with elbow soreness. The former Padre farmhand made three appearances (including a start) this spring, allowing five runs in six and two-thirds innings while striking out seven and walking two.
He was acquired in an early-January trade that sent Kevin Plawecki to the Cleveland Indians, and was considered a potential depth option in the starting rotation entering camp. The 24-year old has a 4.62 ERA and 1.37 WHIP since his first action in Triple-A in 2016. There is no current timetable for his return.
Cecchini, whom the Mets took with the 12th overall pick in the 2012 Draft, has been dealing with an unspecified quad injury, but is currently playing in intrasquad games down in Port St. Lucie (including today). He had 12 plate appearances early in the spring, notching two hits and drawing five walks before he was first sidelined.
Much speculation had surrounded the 25-year old’s whereabouts when he was excluded from the minors rosters in both Syracuse and Double-A Binghamton, though he remains in the Mets’ system, with his specific affiliate assignment still up in the air.
