zack wheeler

Good morning everyone. Spring training was in full force on Monday with pitchers and catchers beginning to get work in as they prepare themselves for the 2017 season. One of the most interesting bits coming out of Terry Collins‘ first presser of the year was that we will be seeing an open competition for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Collins spoke to the media, advising that Zack Wheeler will indeed have a shot at the fifth spot in the rotation, despite previous belief that he would be relegated to the bullpen. “Right now, because he hasn’t pitched in so long, it’s an open competition,” Collins said. “It’s not just that Zack hasn’t pitched in so long, but it’s pretty fresh in my mind what I saw Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo do. So, I think they need to be in that mix.”

LATEST METS NEWS

Terry Collins is striving to come up with the perfect plan to keep David Wright healthy while getting him the work he needs to prepare for the upcoming season. Wright took batting practice in the cages on Monday and is readying to begin throwing sometime this week. “It’s a day to day,” the Mets manager said Monday. “We want to try and set something down on paper for David, to be smart. We realize it has to be adjusted each and every day. There are going to be times he is going to get up in the morning, he’s not going to feel very good and we’re going to have to adjust that day.” Read more from columnist Kristie Ackert in the NY Daily News and Marc Carig on Newsday.

Michael Conforto does have a path to the Opening Day roster according to his manager. Collins stated on Monday that the 23-year-old outfielder can hit his way onto the roster. “There are ways to get him into the lineup, and if he starts swinging the bat [in spring training], it’s going to be hard to keep him off,” manager Terry Collins said Monday. “We are going to take the best 25 guys at the end of spring training.” Read more from columnist Mike Puma in the NY Post.

Columnist Bob Klapisch in the Record speaks of Matt Harvey and his humbled attitude as he spoke with reporters on Monday with a message of focusing on staying healthy as he comes back from the second major surgery of his career. Writes Klapisch: “Harvey, who worked off a mound on Monday with several other pitchers, won’t pick up a ball today except for drills. While there’s no guarantee reduced activity will prevent a torn ligament or, in Harvey’s case, a recurrence of TOS, it’s a significant shift for a team that’s counting on all five starters to stay healthy.”

NL EAST RUMBLINGS

The Washington Nationals added some depth to their squad on Monday, signing first baseman/outfielder, Adam Lind to a one-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2018. Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post added some insight into how he may be used as she writes, “If Lind passes his physical, he will become the fourth outfielder and backup first baseman, likely bumping similar big lefty bat Clint Robinson from the Opening Day bench.”

Philadelphia Phillies president, Andy MacPhail urges his club to stay on track and get better in 2017 as pitchers and catchers reported to their spring training facility on Monday. “I’m looking for improvement — measurable, meaningful improvement,” MacPhail said. “That could just be in the number of players that look like they can be pieces for the future. I think that’s my goal for 2017.” Amidst a rebuilding period, the Phillies feel they are on the right path to getting back to relevancy in the National League East.

Miami Marlins manager, Don Mattingly believes his team is ready to contend while asking them where they would like to see themselves in the upcoming season. “Where do we want to go? Are we going to become about winning? When we came in last year, we wanted to talk about winning and team and how do you get there,” Mattingly said. Read more from columnist Barry Jackson at the Miami Herald.

RECENTLY ON MMO

John Flanigan makes his case as to why the Mets should still re-sign Kelly Johnson when they seemingly have a full bench.

The writers of MMO let you know what they are most looking forward to as spring training camp opens up.

Over at MetsMinors.net, prospects Peter Alonso and Andres Gimenez have been named by Baseball America as breakout candidates to watch in 2017.

TODAY IN METS HISTORY

On this date in Mets history, the team signed free agent Jose Lima to a contract in 2006. Born on this day are former Mets, Kelly Stinnett, who turns 47 and Tyler Clippard, who turns 32.

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