With Opening Day just five days away, the New York Mets trimmed their roster down considerably on Saturday morning, as per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
Left-handed reliever Hector Santiago (11.17 earned-run average, 13 strikeouts, four walks over 9.2 innings this spring) and right-hander Ryan O’Rourke (1.74 ERA, 10 strikeouts, six walks over 10.1 innings), will begin the season in the minor leagues, leaving left-hander Luis Avilan as a virtual shoo-in for an Opening Day spot in the Mets’ bullpen.
Kyle Dowdy, a Rule 5 pick earlier this offseason, has pitched to a 7.36 ERA with three strikeouts and six walks over 7.1 innings this spring, but as DiComo implied, the right-hander has not secured a roster spot just yet.
The team’s three upward mobility clause survivors, outfielder Rajai Davis (.323/.395/.548, one homer, four doubles, six RBI in 31 Grapefruit League at-bats), infielder Adeiny Hechavarria (.242/.270/.424, one home run, three doubles, three RBI, 33 at-bats), backup catcher Devin Mesoraco (.231/.231/.462, one home run, three doubles, two RBI, 26 at-bats), will all likely begin the season in the minors as well.
Recently signed outfielder Carlos Gomez, who only began team workouts this past week due to his late signing and subsequent visa issues, was also informed that he would not be making the Opening Day roster, as expected.
This string of roster moves now opens the door for spring standout Luis Guillorme (.371/.476/.571, one home run, four doubles, four RBI in 35 at-bats) to make the club, as well as Keon Broxton (.281/.439/.313 in 32 at-bats), and defensively-gifted backstop Tomas Nido (.130/.167/.174 in 23 at-bats).
With lingering injuries continuing to keep Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier on the shelf, J.D. Davis (.296/.345/.426, one homer, four doubles, eight RBI in 54 at-bats) is still on the bubble, and Dominic Smith‘s revitalizing spring (.362/.412/.468, one home run, two doubles, nine RBI in 47 at-bats) seems to have left him in line for a roster spot come Thursday in Washington, DC.
The Mets’ bench appears to be coming into shape. Though, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, skipper Mickey Callaway, and the rest of the Mets’ brain trust have some tough decisions to make over the next few days.
