On Monday, a team source told Mike Puma of the New York Post that the Mets are strongly considering Zack Wheeler for the Opening Day start against the Nationals in Washington on April 6.
However, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York is reporting today that “multiple sources” have told him that it’s Bartolo Colon whom the Mets are strongly considering for the Opening Day start.
“The sources added that the Mets have narrowed the choices to Colon and one other pitcher, and that it’s too early to decide which will get the assignment.”
So perhaps it’s between Colon and Wheeler, although I don’t know why they need to make this decision so soon and before one pitch has been thrown in Grapefruit League play.
Rubin also added that if it ends up being Colon, he would become — at 41 years, 317 days old — the oldest Opening Day starter in the majors since Jamie Moyer (43 years, 136 days) and Randy Johnson (42 years, 205 days) in 2006. He also would become the oldest Mets Opening Day starter ever, surpassing Tom Glavine in 2007 (41 years, 7 days).
