Ed Delany, MMO
Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports that the Mets are likely to use Zack Wheeler out of the bullpen this season after signing Jason Vargas last week.
With Vargas in the rotation, the Mets currently have him, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, and Steven Matz set to open the season as the starting five.
That leaves Wheeler, Robert Gsellman, and Seth Lugo in limbo.
Ackert also reports that the Mets, at the moment, view Lugo as the likeliest of the three to open 2018 in Triple-A and remain stretched out as a starting pitcher.
Furthermore, Ackert says the Mets plan to have Wheeler start his Spring Training early, and are strongly considering having him pitch in the very first game on Friday.
They reportedly want to challenge him and see if he can handle a rigorous schedule. While his chances of having a spot in the rotation are still unlikely, they want to challenge him just in case.
Despite expressing his desire to remain a starter, the 27-year old understands the situation and says this on the matter:
“I am not stupid, I know I’ve missed two and a half years, I know people have their doubts. I knew I was coming in here to a competition. I expected it.”
The more competition the better for this team, but his chances of cracking the rotation as currently constituted are slim at best and he is likely ticketed for the bullpen.
Last season, he went 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA, 5.03 FIP, 1.59 WHIP and allowed 15 home runs in 86.1 innings for the Mets before being shut down for the season in August.
