In his first spring training outing of the season, Dellin Betances didn’t pitch like his usually overpowering self. He walked two batters, allowed three runs, and most significant of all, he only reached 88-90 MPH with his fastball. While it might seem concerning to see Betances labor through his first appearance, it’s not time to worry just yet.
Some rust should be expected because Betances missed nearly the entire 2019 season due to multiple injuries. The veteran reliever made just once appearance, as he experienced a shoulder impingement, a strained lat, and a torn Achilles all in one year.
After such a tumultuous campaign, nobody should expect Betances to come out firing in mid-season form. Clearly, Betances needs time to work his way back. And if he’s not ready by opening day, the Mets shouldn’t rush him.
The last thing the Mets need is for him to suffer a setback if they push him too hard. We all know what Betances is capable of when he’s healthy, so giving him some extra time to refine his mechanics and build up his velocity won’t be a worst-case scenario.
From 2014-2018, it’s hard to find a more dominant reliever than Betances. He averaged a 2.22 ERA and 2.26 FIP over those five seasons, and struck out 14.6 K/9. He amassed the second highest WAR among relievers during that time frame with 11.2, finishing just a tick behind Aroldis Chapman‘s total of 11.3.
And since many Mets’ pitchers have looked sharp this spring, the bullpen should be okay if Betances isn’t ready right away. On Sunday, Robert Gsellman pitched two shutout innings while allowing just one hit. His spring ERA is 1.50 over six innings.
Michael Wacha, Steven Matz, and Rick Porcello all have ERA’s below two, so the Mets will have plenty of pitching depth, especially when compared to previous seasons. The Mets also have three off days during the first 12 days of the season, so they could possibly employ a four starter rotation to begin the year.
Brad Brach has also pitched four scoreless innings this spring. Other relievers having good springs are Daniel Zamora and Erasmo Ramirez. Ramirez has allowed just one run over eight innings, while Zamora has yielded one run in five innings.
So, if Betances isn’t ready right away, the Mets shouldn’t panic. The most important thing is that Betances is ready for the long haul. He can be a difference maker if returns to full strength, so making sure that he’s fully healthy should be the Mets’ top concern.
