With two relief spots open in the bullpen, the Mets have narrowed their search down to Jason Isringhausen, Pedro Beato, and Blaine Boyer.
Isringhausen, who has had numerous elbow injuries throughout his career, is now battling a swelled right elbow. With six innings of relief work under his belt so far, he has gone 1-0 this Spring with a 1.50 ERA. He has recently stated that he will not take a minor league assignment if he does not make the opening day roster.
At this stage of the game, I think Isringhausen should accept a minor league assignment. He has shown he still has the talent, but with this recent injury, he's just going to be taking a roster spot away from someone who will be effective when called upon.
He should take the assignment, get healthy, and wait to be called up. It beats being unemployed.
Of the Mets' three choices, Pedro Beato is most likely to make the roster. The Rule 5 draft pick has the best chance due to the fact that he would have to be sent back to Baltimore if he does not make the 25-man roster.
Beato has pitched 11.2 innings of relief this Spring, posting a 0-0 record and a 3.09 ERA.
Not to be outdone by Beato, Blaine Boyer has been impressive all Spring. Boyer has allowed just one earned run in nine innings of work. His ERA is 1.00.
Boyer also has a clause in his contract which allows him to sign elsewhere should he not make the squad. That could prove to be the extra incentive the Mets need to hang on to him.
With Beato and Boyer having such a good Spring, and the fact that the Mets could lose both of them if they don't make the team, Isringhausen may be the odd man out.
So who has made claimed a bullpen spot? Francisco Rodriguez, Bobby Parnell, D.J. Carrasco, Taylor Buchholz, and Tim Byrdak, that's who.
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