JUPITER, Fla. — Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning took their shots at securing a spot in the Mets Opening Day rotation, as both started on Monday, a day after Tylor Megill tossed five inconsistent innings.
With Sean Manaea likely out for most of April due to an oblique injury and Frankie Montas sidelined with a strained lat, the Mets need to fill out a rotation that’s currently made up of Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga and David Peterson.
Canning had the best showing of late, striking out nine and giving up just one run in 4 ²/₃ innings against the Rays in a 2-0 split-squad loss at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, while Blackburn gave up a pair of runs in four innings — and struck out six — in a 6-5 win over the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium.
On Monday, Carlos Mendoza said the team was “considering” putting one potential starter in the bullpen among the three vying for the final two spots in the rotation.
The manager declined to say who would make sense pitching in relief.
“It’s hard for me right now [to say],” Mendoza said. “All three can do it. We haven’t decided if we’re going to go that route. We’ve still got seven [spring training games until Opening Day]. A lot can still happen.”
If nothing changes, Mendoza said he would meet with president of baseball operations David Stearns and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner to determine which starter becomes the odd man out.
Blackburn has four major league relief appearances — one since 2019 — while Megill has six appearances out of the pen (all in 2022) and Canning has done it five times.
Megill is the only one of the three with a minor league option remaining.
Following his outing Monday, Blackburn said he’d be fine with whatever role he gets.
The right-hander said the team talked to him about a potential bullpen role earlier in the spring.
“Whatever happens, happens,” said Blackburn, who was pleased with the number of swings and misses he was able to get Monday. “Those guys are the decision-makers. I’m ready to pitch whenever they want. … Any chance I get, I’m ready to pitch.”
Canning made 31 starts for the Angels last season with a 5.19 ERA, but there is optimism his work with the Mets pitching staff will pay off. Early indications are promising.
“I feel every single day, I’m getting better,” said Canning, who’s allowed one run over his past two starts and fanned 14 batters in those 8 ¹/₃ innings. “It’s fun taking that confidence into the game.”
But as Canning added, “I feel great, but it doesn’t mean anything right now.”
Among the aspects the team will consider is each pitcher’s “ability to bounce back,” according to Mendoza.
In the meantime, Mendoza said each would continue to work as a starter.
“They’re all getting built up with their pitch counts and [innings],” Mendoza said. “That’s the priority.”
Especially since the Mets could shift to a six-man rotation by the middle of next month.
— Additional reporting by Mike Puma in Port St. Lucie
