Mets set Opening Day rotation, bullpen has one competition left

Carlos Mendoza made a set of announcements for the pitching staff on Sunday morning

Max Kranick - via the New York Post

Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza offered some more clarity for the pitching staff on Sunday morning, expectingly announcing Tylor Megill will be in the starting rotation to open the season, and will pitch the second game of the season against the Astros next Saturday.

Barring any problems today, Mendoza said Griffin Canning will pitch the third game against the Astros, David Peterson will open the series against the Marlins in Miami, followed by Kodai Senga who will start the fifth game of the season.

As expected, the Mets will be going with a five-man rotation to start the season, taking advantage of the numerous off-days at the beginning of the schedule, and Mendoza indicated Paul Blackburn will be going to the bullpen to start the season.

The Mets don’t truly need a sixth starter until April 19.

In addition, the Mets optioned Dedniel Núñez to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, but that’s more of an indication of where he is in his progression through Spring Training than anything else. Núñez had been slowed by a delayed ramp up as he continues to recover from an elbow strain he sustained last summer, which cost him much of the second half of the 2024 season.

That means the final bullpen spot is coming down to either Max Kranick or Huascar Brazobán. Kranick has a 1.59 ERA in seven appearances this spring, but has not pitched in the big leagues since the 2022 season while with the Pirates. Brazoban has pitched well himself this spring to the tune of a 1.86 ERA over eight appearances.

Both Brazoban and Kranick have options remaining, so the Mets will retain control of either no matter who they decide will go north with the team after camp breaks on Monday.

The Mets bullpen on Opening Day is now expected to include one of Kranick or Brazoban, Blackburn, Edwin Díaz, Ryne Stanek, Danny Young, Reed Garrett, José Buttó, and perhaps AJ Minter if he comes through his outing on Monday against the Yankees with no issues.