BROKEN PEN
One of the Mets’ strengths over the season’s glorious first two weeks is suddenly looking like a major weakness.
Lefthanded specialist Jerry Blevins, so integral to the Mets’ 103 start, will be out indefinitely after suffering a fractured left forearm — the result of a line drive off the bat of Marlins leadoff man Dee Gordon, and the team doesn’t have a replacement for him.
The initial plan is to use Alex Torres — acquired from the Padres during spring training — and Rule 5 pick Sean Gilmartin in Blevins’ role, but both have been inconsistent. The Mets called up righthander Hansel Robles after Sunday’s game, promoting the 24yearold who struck out 10 and allowed just six hits in 7 ² / ₃ innings at Triple A Las Vegas where he had a 0.00 ERA.
“In the meantime, somebody else will have to step up,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said after his team’s eighth straight win, a 76 victory over the Marlins at Citi Field. “Although we lost Jerry, we still have far more depth thanwe had in say mid spring training just because of the development of a few guys andwe have Alex Torres.”
It’s not just the openended absence of Blevins that will hurt the bullpen, but the continued losses of key relievers, from Josh Edgin ( Tommy John surgery) to Jenrry Mejia ( 80game steroids suspension) to Vic Black ( shoulder/ neck soreness) and now Blevins, that has left the Mets short. Blevins will have tests on Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
The bullpen has struggled the past two games, allowing six runs in three innings after starters Jacob de Grom and Matt Harvey departed, and now it is losing its top lefty in Blevins. The one certainty at this point is closer Jeurys Familia, who has thrived in his new role, with six saves in asmany chances.
“Guys have to step up in whatever roles they’re given and pick up the slack,” righty reliever Buddy Carlyle said.
Edgin is done for the season and Mejia is gone until deep into the summer, but the Mets were hopeful to get Black back soon. But after his third rehab outing on Saturday, he complained of soreness inhis shoulder and neck, and will undergo an MRI exam, according to Alderson.
“There’s an issue there, and we’re not sure what it is,” Alderson said.
Alderson said there are other lefty options the Mets may go to if Torres or Gilmartin are unable to do the job. One is prospect Jack Leathersich. The hard thrower has been impressive so far, walking nobody and striking out 10 in five innings of work. And former closer Bobby Parnell ( Tommy John surgery) also began a rehab assignment last week, though he is thought to be a fewweeks away.
“Right now we’re comfortable with what we have,” Alderson said. “We feel we still got plenty of arms that can come in and help us.”