Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets Opening Day roster is getting its final touches.
According to reports, outfielder Travis Jankowski has made the Mets and will be on the team unless Max Scherzer has an injury setback. Pitcher David Peterson is traveling north as well but it is unclear if he will be on the active roster or taxi squad, according to Anthony DiComo.
The Mets have also made it known that lefty reliever Chasen Shreve will be on the team. He relayed that information to reporters on Monday.
Alex Claudio, another lefty reliever, did not make the team and will report to Syracuse to start the season. Both he and Shreve signed non-roster invite contracts this offseason.
Claudio threw five scoreless innings with five strikeouts this spring. Shreve threw four scoreless innings with six strikeouts and did not allow a hit. Ultimately the Mets decided on the player with the better track record in the majors and someone who has spent a year on the Mets before.
Peterson’s spring did not go the way someone fighting for a roster spot would want it to go. In 6 and 2/3 innings, Peterson allowed six runs on seven hits and walked two. Three of those hits were home runs.
Jankowski played in 12 games for the Mets. He went 4-for-18 at the plate with one run scored and four walks to five strikeouts. Jankowski made the team for his glove, not his bat.
MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to expand rosters from 26 to 28 until May 1. With an expected bench that didn’t feature a true outfielder, Jankowski almost certainly takes up one of those spots.
The Mets will need to make two 40-man roster moves to make room for Shreve and Jankowski. One possibility is putting Jacob deGrom on the 60-day injured list. They would need to DFA or move one additional player as well.
