When Tylor Megill returns to Mets, he will be in bullpen
Mets relief pitcher Tylor Megill follows through against the Brewers during the second inning of an MLB game at Citi Field on June 16. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
MIAMI — When Tylor Megill returns to the Mets, he’ll have a new job: reliever.
Manager Buck Showalter revealed that tidbit Friday in discussing Megill’s “slow but on schedule” progress in rehabilitating his strained right shoulder. Their Opening Day starter in place of an injured Jacob deGrom, Megill has a repertoire (including a mid-90s fastball that is sometimes harder) and a demeanor (steely) that intrigues the Mets enough to try him in a bullpen role — especially because the rotation looks as if it’ll be full.
“I don’t think you’ll see him necessarily starting again,” Showalter said, speaking of this season. “The plan is to try to get him physically ready to do some things out of the bullpen.”
As a starter by trade, Megill could slot into the type of multi-inning role that the Mets highly value. But as the Mets saw recently with David Peterson, a starter used temporarily out of the bullpen, it isn’t necessarily an easy transition. In two relief appearances, he gave up three runs and recorded four outs.
Megill is at least a few weeks away from returning. He isn’t eligible to come off the injured list until mid-August, and Showalter wasn’t committed to him coming back as soon as possible. After starting his throwing program two weeks ago, Megill has been playing catch from at least 90 feet, Showalter said.
Daily deGrom
The Mets still plan for deGrom’s next start to be with the major-league team, but they weren’t ready to publicly commit to a day. Showalter said he might have that reveal on Saturday.
He also provided a possible explanation for the rough start to deGrom’s rehab appearance Wednesday: leg cramps, which he said are a non-issue.
“That was all,” Showalter said. “His arm feels good.”
He added: “I know he’s excited about being back and part of the team with the idea of contributing here in the near future.”
DeGrom, who joined the team in Miami, declined an interview request.
Injury updates
Drew Smith (strained right lat) will spend more than the minimum 15 days on the injured list, but Showalter expects him to pitch again this season.
“We’ll be careful with it,” he said. “He will be back. I know the time periods they’re giving us, and it’s a pretty wide range. I know it’s more than two weeks.”
Dominic Smith (sprained right ankle) is due to begin a minor-league rehab assignment in less than a week.
The Mets expect to activate Trevor May (stress reaction in his right humerus) on Wednesday before their game against Washington and James McCann (left oblique strain) on Thursday as they start a series against Atlanta.
Peterson’s plan
Peterson was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse, but the Mets intend to bring him back to start on or around their Aug. 6 doubleheader against Atlanta. In the meantime, he’ll start for Syracuse on Sunday.
“He needs to get back out there as a starter,” Showalter said. “It’s just not smart to think that you’re going to not have another challenge along the way where some starter is concerned. We hope not, so we want to make sure we’re covered there. Pete needs to get stretched back out again.”
Personnel news
The Mets added two relievers: lefthander Sam Clay and righthander Stephen Nogosek.
Clay had a 6.02 ERA in 64 appearances with the Nationals the past two seasons and has been mediocre in Triple-A this year. Nogosek, who posted a 0.71 ERA in seven appearances with the Mets, has been similarly excellent for Syracuse.
Hello
Sean Reid-Foley, less than three months removed from Tommy John surgery, made the trip from Port St. Lucie to check in with the major-league staff and team. Showalter shook his hand, maintained the grip and lifted his arm, as if to check the functionality of his repaired elbow.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
