Douglas Cook asks: Will Harvey or Wheeler be called up this year or do they need more minor league seasoning?

We spoke to Wally Backman and asked him that question on Tuesday. He said that Harvey will certainly be with the Mets by September at the latest. I happen to think that if the Mets fall far out of it in the standings, and Harvey continues to pitch as he did on Wednesday (7 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 5 K), that he will be here much sooner than that. As for Wheeler, I wouldn’t expect much more than a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo at some point this season. If he gets past his occasional wildness and gets better command of his secondary stuff, we could see Wheeler in late 2013 or early 2014. It all hinges on his further development.

Hitman asks: With Daniel Muno continuing to perform the way he is in the minors and the lack of depth at 3rd in the system, would it be a good move to shift Muno to 3rd base as he progresses? As far as I know, Muno can play 3rd in addition to 2nd and short.

You are right on the money. Not many scouts expected Muno to stick at shortstop anyway and while he’s been mostly playing second and also logging time as a DH, his final landing spot may very well be at third base where the Mets need to establish some depth beyond Zach Lutz. Muno prefers to play shortstop and his coach at Fresno felt second base was his best position, but the fact of the matter is that Muno can adapt and play any infield position well. He’s a very fluid defender and doesn’t have the greatest range, but will make the routine plays and the occasional jaw-dropper too which comes from his great instincts.

Anthony asks: Have we seen the last of Mike Pelfrey?

Difficult to say right now because his diagnosis and treatment has yet to be determined. If Pelfrey can avoid surgery I’m certain he will be back. But if it’s determined that he will need surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow, then Pelfrey may have pitched his last game for the Mets. Pelf is owed $5.8 million for this season and has one more year of arbitration left. Under the rules of the CBA he cannot be tendered less than 80% of his current salary if the Mets want to bring him back. That would mean paying him $4.6 million without any guarantee that he will be back before August of next season. He would most definitely be non-tendered after this season, making him a free agent that Scott Boras will showcase whenever he is throwing off a mound again.