STAFF PICK
Pitching picture clears as Gsellman, Wheeler vie for rotation spots
PORT ST. LUCIE — Robert Gsellman entered the Grapefruit League season as a wild card on the Mets’ pitching staff and concluded it proving he can be trusted every fifth day.
On Tuesday, manager Terry Collins stopped just short of officially naming the 23-year-old righty to the starting rotation, but also made it clear Gsellman shouldn’t plan on returning to Triple-A Las Vegas in the near future.
And Gsellman also said he understands there’s an opportunity ahead of him.
“I am excited to start the season,” Gsellman said after allowing three earned runs over six innings in the Mets’ 3-3 exhibition tie with the Cardinals at First Data Field. “Today was the best I have felt all spring.”
It’s a spring in which Gsellman posted a 2.31 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, perhaps further illustrating his performance with the club over the final six weeks of last season was not a mirage.
Team brass was set to huddle late Tuesday afternoon to discuss the roster, with the back end of the rotation a point of emphasis. The variable in the equation was Steven Matz, who has battled recent elbow irritation and may not be ready to start the season with the club.
The lefty threw for a second straight day — including a few pitches from the mound, according to pitching coach Dan Warthen — and looked “pretty decent.”
It followed a throwing session on flat ground a day earlier in which Matz had early discomfort in his left elbow before recovering later.
Zack Wheeler’s chances of making the club seem tied to Matz’s health. But the Mets also could insert Seth Lugo into the rotation if Matz isn’t ready to start the season.
Wheeler made a case for the rotation Monday, when he fired five shutout innings against the Marlins. The righty, who has spent the last two years rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, will likely begin the season in extended spring training if he’s not in the Mets rotation — club officials are reluctant to use him in a bullpen role.
Collins mentioned the possibility of Gsellman in a long-relief role to begin the season, but that only would be because the fifth starter wouldn’t be needed until April 9.
Noah Syndergaard will pitch the opener April 3 against the Braves at Citi Field before Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey — the order has not yet been announced — pitch the final two games of that series.
Gsellman went 4-2 with a 2.42 ERA in eight appearances for the team last season and was a significant part of the Mets’ surge to a wild-card berth.
“There are guys who just have a feel for when they are on the mound and a demeanor when they pitch, and I think Robert has learned a lot from his experience last year,” Collins said. “He sees the older guys, the way they prepare this spring, and I think he’s grown up in his preparation and how he goes about things and takes his outings down here not with a grain of salt. He knows he’s got to impress people, and I thought he handled it very well.”
Matt Adams’ three-run homer on a hanging curveball in the fourth inning accounted for the Cardinals’ damage against Gsellman on Tuesday. The blast was the first allowed by Gsellman.
Gsellman also swung the bat for the first time in a Mets uniform and finished 0-for-2 — a torn labrum limited him to bunt attempts last season.
“My timing is a little off, but it felt good to swing,” Gsellman said. “It’s fun. Bunting was boring.”