The New York Mets optioned catcher Kevin Plawecki to Triple-A Las Vegas after Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The move was not unexpected and it confirms that Travis d’Arnaud will be the starting catcher and his backup will be the more defensive minded Rene Rivera. Again no surprise here.
With Opening Day just six days away, Terry Collins said that Robert Gsellman will be heading north with the big-league team but that he has not yet locked down a spot in the starting rotation. It was a curious thing to say as the front office has often said Gsellman was better suited to start rather than working out of the bullpen. Does Collins know something we don’t know? Is Zack Wheeler going to make the rotation? What about Seth Lugo?
Steven Matz threw Tuesday for a second straight day, including a few pitches from the mound, according to pitching coach Dan Warthen. Matz is making an urgent push to making the opening day roster after Terry Collins cast doubt on Matz’s readiness after the southpaw told trainers his elbow felt tight. A few of these final roster decisions all hinge on whether or not Matz will be able to prove he’s healthy enough to make the rotation. He will get one last shot on Thursday or Friday to throw 80 pitches in a minor league game and show he’s ready to go.
Terry Collins hinted today that he might break camp with an eight-man bullpen. That would mean Josh Smoker has locked down a spot in the pen. With Jeurys Familia, Addison Reed, Fernando Salas, Jerry Blevins and Hansel Robles all guaranteed spots that makes six. That leaves Rafael Montero, Josh Edgin and Seth Lugo for the last two spots. Mets already ruled out Wheeler as a reliever.
It’s still unknown how the bench will look as T.J. Rivera and Ty Kelly continue to get playing time and show which one would make the most sense. The Brandon Nimmo injury complicated matters as he was being seriously considered as the fifth outfielder behind Juan Lagares who now looks like he’ll be ready to go on opening day. That would mean Michael Conforto heads to Las Vegas.
Terry Collins said he’s trying to figure out how not to have Lucas Duda and Jay Bruce batting consecutively in the lineup. Separating them usually has one of them batting seventh as Jose Reyes, Asdrubal Cabrera, Yoenis Cespedes and Neil Walker will occupy the first four spots. Not sure why he wouldn’t just use the switch-hitting Walker in between them. Anyway, good problem to have for the Mets skipper, although the solution seems plain as day.
Still no word on Jeurys Familia, carry on…
