JUPITER, Fla. — While the state of the Mets' starting rotation has gotten most of the attention since Zack Wheeler's elbow injury came to light, Terry Collins is losing a lot more sleep over his bullpen.
"We've been sitting here telling everybody that we didn't have to rebuild our bullpen," the manager said after the Mets beat the Cardinals, 7-2 in a split-squad game at Roger Dean Stadium. "Hell, we're in the process of rebuilding it as we speak. And if Vic [Black] is down, then we'll have to take a look at other options."
Those figure to be both internal and external and with team officials expect other relievers to become available as the spring goes on.
Still, with Black being kept off the mound for at least a few more days thanks to lingering shoulder weakness, what the Mets thought finally was going to be a strength quickly has emerged as another headache.
Collins admitted Black's status for Opening Day will be in question if he is not able to pitch soon, and that would be another significant blow to a team that has suffered plenty of them already this spring — including the loss of lefty Josh Edgin for the season to Tommy John surgery.
Collins said he expects Bobby Parnell to pitch in a minor league game on Friday as he looks to return from his own Tommy John surgery, but until he proves he is healthy and able to pitch like he did before the elbow injury, he also will be surrounded by questions.
"We've been bragging about the back end of our bullpen, and right now it's down to two," Collins said of Jenrry Mejia and Jeurys Familia.
A third figures to be either Dillon Gee or Rafael Montero, whichever right-hander doesn't make the rotation in Wheeler's spot.
Both pitched well Thursday at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie in a 3-1 win over Houston in the other split-squad game.
A third figures to be either Dillon Gee or Rafael Montero, whichever right-hander doesn't make the rotation in Wheeler's spot.
Both pitched well Thursday at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie in a 3-1 win over Houston in the other split-squad game. Gee started and tossed 3²/₃ scoreless innings, walking two and striking out none, while Montero gave up one run in his 3²/₃ innings, with two strikeouts.
"I feel really good about today," Gee told reporters. "I was trying to work on stuff, stay calm and not overthrow and just be the guy that made me successful to begin with."
That's something he felt he got away from a year ago after a lat injury.
As for Montero, he seems the more likely candidate to join the bullpen, but the Mets are trying to play it safe.
"I think what we're doing is we have to protect ourselves in case something [else] happens and we have another starter that we can rely on," Collins said. "That's why we're keeping him stretched out."
Team officials continue to insist they are in the "kicking the tires" stage of finding available relievers around the league — and the lefty situation remains unresolved.
"The four guys we're looking at all have [issues], but they're all gonna be here for a few days," Collins said. "They'll get their shots."
Dario Alvarez and Scott Rice were fine against St. Louis, as were Jack Leathersich and Sean Gilmartin in Port St. Lucie versus the Astros.
But the Mets don't plan on being content with that group and, like Collins, have fingers crossed that Black isn't sidelined much longer as he continues to be unable to put his shoulder ailments to rest.
"This is the second year in a row now he's got issues," Collins said. "He had them last spring and late in the summer and now he's got them this year. I don't have an answer for you. We certainly are concerned about Vic. … He's a power pitcher and it takes time to build that arm-strength up."
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