PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Since Zack Wheeler learned he needed Tommy John surgery, New York Mets officials largely have presumed they would give Dillon Gee the fifth starter’s job, with fellow contender Rafael Montero working in the bullpen to begin the year.
But Montero has pitched so well, including six scoreless innings Monday against the Miami Marlins, he is starting to complicate the original plan.
“I’m not sure that has changed," general manager Sandy Alderson said about Gee claiming the rotation spot, "but Montero has done everything he possibly can to change that presumption. So we’ll just have to see. We haven’t really talked about it. We basically decided, 'Let’s let everything flow until the end of spring training and try to make a decision.' It’s going to be a tough one because Dillon has pitched pretty well also, and he’s certainly got the experience.”
While Montero has a 2.40 Grapefruit League ERA, Gee’s ERA stands at 2.49.
Neither has bullpen experience, but manager Terry Collins is talking about using Montero in late innings because of issues at the back end. Vic Black is due to open the season on the disabled list with shoulder weakness, while Jenrry Mejia and Jeurys Familia have looked shaky in spring training.
“I’ve got no problem putting Rafael Montero in the back end of that pen, late in the game. Because if he could command what I’m seeing right now, he brings us a huge option,” Collins said. “We’ll have to decide and see if he can handle it. But if it’s not going to be him, we’ve certainly got to rearrange the back end a little bit.”
The Mets have made surprise rotation moves before. Last year, they awarded Jenrry Mejia the fifth starter’s spot out of spring training over presumed favorite Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Choosing Montero would be a slap in the face to Gee, though. He started on Opening Day for the club last season, and was only originally bounced to the bullpen because Matt Harvey is returning from Tommy John surgery. Once Wheeler required surgery, Gee figured to get back in the rotation.
Asked if a bullpen assignment now would be a second slap in the face to Gee, Collins said: “Certain people could take it that way. I don’t think Dillon Gee is that kind of a personality. Certain guys would be affected by it. I think Dillon Gee just wants to help the team.”
Collins added: “I’ll stand by what I said: Dillon Gee, to me, is a guy who has been over .500 on a team that hasn’t been over .500. And that’s got to be a huge consideration. But I’ll tell you, Rafael Montero is certainly making a play for it.”
