WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In 2022, a Jacob deGrom harm helped Tylor Megill make the Mets rotation in the beginning of the season.
The following yr, Justin Verlander went all the way down to open a spot on Opening Day.
And a yr in the past, Megill gained a contest for a spot out of spring coaching.
However every year, the right-hander has been unable to remain within the rotation over the course of the season.
For that to vary, Megill mentioned he must take one important step.
“Consistency,” Megill mentioned. “That’s always been my downfall, I’d say. Being able to string together good starts. I have stints of good starts and then ruts of three or four bad starts.”
Due to accidents to free agent signings Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas this spring, Megill is lined as much as open the yr within the rotation as soon as once more, and he tossed 4 shutout innings within the Mets’ 7-4 exhibition loss to the Astros towards a stable Houston lineup on Tuesday at Cacti Park of the Palm Seashores.
He additionally struck out 5 — together with Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez within the backside of the primary.
Megill mentioned his objective is to “not attempt to be too good.
Coming into this yr, I need to go deep into video games. I’ve received to be extra environment friendly.”
With Kodai Senga, David Peterson and Clay Holmes seemingly locking down the primary three spots, Megill, Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning all have a shot to enter the common season within the rotation.
Carlos Mendoza has appreciated what he’s seen from Megill’s first two begins, and he believes the pitcher’s time within the majors will repay this yr.
“He’s experienced now,’’ Mendoza said. “He has big league stuff, stuff that should play at this level. He’s taking that next step.”
Brandon Nimmo (knee soreness) stayed again in Port St. Lucie once more Tuesday and was anticipated to renew baseball actions, Mendoza mentioned.
“He’ll go on the sector [Tuesday and Wednesday], and we’ll see the place we’re at,’’ Mendoza mentioned.
The supervisor added Nimmo “continues to feel better.”
Nimmo acquired a gel injection in his proper knee and has performed in only one sport this spring. He’s mentioned he hopes to return to Grapefruit League motion this week.
Starling Marte felt superb after showing in his first sport of the spring on Monday whereas coping with a proper knee bone bruise.
Mendoza mentioned Marte, after serving because the DH, “came out fine” Tuesday and is scheduled to be again at DH on Wednesday.
Francisco Alvarez is predicted again in camp in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, Mendoza mentioned.
The competitors for Luis Torrens’ backup continued Tuesday towards Houston, with Hayden Senger getting the beginning.
Senger threw out Isaac Paredes trying to steal second to finish the third.
Max Kranick tossed one other scoreless inning Tuesday and struck out two extra batters. Mendoza mentioned “as of now” the 27-year-old right-hander is being constructed up as a multi-inning reliever.
With Megill’s begin pushed again a day due to inclement climate Monday, prospect Nolan McLean pitched on a again subject at minor league camp in Port St. Lucie as a substitute of popping out of the bullpen versus the Astros, in accordance with Mendoza.
Justin Hagenman was amongst these optioned to minor league camp this week, however Mendoza mentioned he should get a chance within the rotation in some unspecified time in the future.
The supervisor mentioned Hagenman would stay a starter within the minors: “He’s a strike-thrower. He’s a guy we’re gonna be looking at closely.”
The 28-year-old spent all of final yr with Boston’s Triple-A Worcester affiliate and signed with the Mets within the offseason.
Mendoza, who spent 4 years as Yankees bench coach, mentioned it was a “shame” Gerrit Cole would miss all of 2025 with Tommy John surgical procedure.
“You hate to see it, especially to one of the best pitchers in the game,” Mendoza mentioned. “At the end of the day, it comes down to putting on a show for the fans in baseball, and when you see someone go down like that, it’s not good. But knowing Gerrit, he’s gonna do everything he can in his power to be back on the field sooner than later. It’s a shame, but he’ll be back.”
