PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The New York Mets were expected to swing a trade for a left-handed relief pitcher. The acquisition of Jerry Blevins from the Washington Nationals and Alex Torres from the San Diego Padres on Monday created an interesting wrinkle though -- one that likely cements Buddy Carlyle getting displaced from the Opening Day roster.
General manager Sandy Alderson, while discussing the deals, portrayed Rule 5 pick Sean Gilmartin as another solid bet for the bullpen.
Meanwhile, reliever Vic Black (shoulder) is "unlikely" to be ready for the start of the season, while second baseman Daniel Murphy (hamstring) is "touch and go," Alderson said. The Mets are keeping Murphy out of Grapefruit League games so they can backdate his DL stint nine days into spring training.
So here's the new Opening Day roster projection:
Starting lineup
1. Juan Lagares, CF
2. Curtis Granderson, RF
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Lucas Duda, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, LF
6. Wilmer Flores, SS
7. Travis d'Arnaud, C
8. Danny Muno, 2B
Bench
9. Anthony Recker, C
10. John Mayberry Jr., OF
11. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF
12. Ruben Tejada, IF
13. Eric Campbell, IF/OF
Rotation
14. Bartolo Colon, RHP
15. Jacob deGrom, RHP
16. Matt Harvey, RHP
17. Jonathon Niese, LHP
18. Dillon Gee, RHP
Bullpen
19. Jenrry Mejia, RHP
20. Jeurys Familia, RHP
21. Carlos Torres, RHP
22. Blevins, LHP
23. A. Torres, LHP
24. Gilmartin, LHP
25. Rafael Montero, RHP
