Mets bullpen pair out to prove they still belong
PORT ST. LUCIE — Drew Smith and Tyler Bashlor benefited from the Mets’ early nosedive last season, receiving extended major league opportunities, and this spring both will attempt to show they belong on an Opening Day roster.
With two or three openings in the bullpen — depending upon how many relievers the Mets decide to carry — manager Mickey Callaway figures to keep a close eye on Smith and Bashlor in particular this spring to gauge their progression.
The 25-year-old Smith appeared in 27 games for the Mets last season and posted a 3.54 ERA and 1.429 WHIP. Bashlor, also 25, appeared in 24 games and posted a 4.22 ERA and 1.188 WHIP.
“We got to see some pressure innings out of those guys,” Callaway said Friday. “That’s the thing we benefited from last year — one of the few. Those guys got to go out there against really good hitters, we put them in some tough spots, and they got to have some experience.”
Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Justin Wilson, Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman are locks for the bullpen, barring injury, and the Mets figure to carry a second lefty, whether that’s Luis Avilan or Daniel Zamura.
Smith and Bashlor join Paul Sewald, Jacob Rhame, Eric Hanhold, Kyle Dowdy and Tim Peterson among those fighting for bullpen jobs.
“[Smith and Bashlor] know they have to battle with all these other guys to make the team,” Callaway said. “And they are in a really good spot throwing the ball. The things [pitching coach] Dave [Eiland] asked them to work on in the offseason, it is very evident they took all that to heart and came in a better spot than they ended the season. They are definitely on the radar.”
Jeff McNeil has appeared steady in early drills, according to Callaway, as he prepares for life in left field.
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“He’s got some great instincts out there,” Callaway said. “He is going to do a very good job out there and he’s got a lot of confidence.”
McNeil played the outfield extensively during his college career, but was limited to eight games there during his time in the minor leagues. The expectation is McNeil will start in left field against most right-handed pitchers.
Callaway said there is a “12-foot” alligator that frequents the backyard of the house he is renting during spring training. But that’s hardly the manager’s biggest issue with his digs: He returned home Thursday to find a geyser in the yard because a water pump broke, draining his entire swimming pool.