Mets relievers battling for last spots
Pedro Beato during spring training workout at Digital Domain stadium in Port St. Lucie. (Feb. 23, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Mets essentially named their lefthanded specialist Friday by adding Tim Byrdak to the 40-man roster.
With the plan to skip Chris Capuano in the rotation until needed, that gives the Mets a pair of lefthanders in the bullpen to start the season. But manager Terry Collins said Friday that three relief openings remain, with five pitchers gunning for those spots.
At this point, not counting the eventual No. 5 starter, the locks are Byrdak, Francisco Rodriguez, Bobby Parnell and D.J. Carrasco. Rule 5 pick Pedro Beato also figures to have a spot -- the Mets will lose him if he does not make the team -- and Taylor Buchholz seems to have a tentative foothold as well.
That could mean a battle between Jason Isringhausen, Blaine Boyer and Manny Acosta for the final spot if the Mets choose to take 12 pitchers. General manager Sandy Alderson said Friday that they could take 13, which would allow for two of those three relievers.
There are compelling reasons to go with 13. Boyer has an out in his contract that allows him to walk March 31. As for Isringhausen, he's already said he could easily go home rather than open the season in the minors, so the Mets would need to convince him to stick around.
Extra bases
Ike Davis hit his third homer of spring training and Daniel Murphy had an RBI double in the Mets' 6-5 loss to the Marlins. Davis leads the Mets with 12 RBIs. Murphy is second with 10.
