Gsell-ing point
Righty shows off improved sinker
PORT ST. LUCIE — Robert Gsellman’s emphasis on physical therapy this offseason may have paid initial dividends Sunday.
The Mets right-hander found his sinker — a pitch that had largely disappeared on him in 2017 — in firing two scoreless innings in his team’s 10-3 exhibition victory over the Marlins. Gsellman allowed one hit and struck out two.
“I left a couple of pitches up, but I like the movement on my ball — it’s actually sinking pretty good this year,” Gsellman said.
In an effort to get that sinking action, Gsellman received “deep tissue” therapy in the offseason to improve the range of motion in his shoulders.
Gsellman was among the team’s biggest disappointments last season, going 8-7 with a 5.19 ERA in 25 appearances after a successful debut in 2016.
“I didn’t know my body last year,” Gsellman said. “My shoulders were too tight.”
Gsellman provides rotation depth for the Mets, but he also could figure into the bullpen mix. But to earn a job on the major league roster, he will almost certainly need his sinker.
“It’s in a good spot,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “He has done a real good job of staying with that delivery and keeping that front side in there and getting the sink that he wants. We saw it today.”
➤ Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless third inning in his Grapefruit League debut. Familia, who missed most of last season after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot from his right shoulder, indicated his focus is finding his splitter, which abandoned him late in 2017.
➤ Noah Syndergaard, Steven
Matz, Matt Harvey and Jason Vargas are the Mets’ scheduled starting pitchers, in succession, through Thursday. Callaway cited the fact Jacob deGrom topped 200 innings last season and missed three days on paternity leave for keeping the right-hander out of the initial mix. The Mets have not announced when deGrom will make his Grapefruit League debut.