Kuzul

As the Mets’ bullpen has exceeded expectations in the early part of the season, the need for Jenrry Mejia seems to be diminishing.  However, Jerry Manuel remains adamant that the 20-year-old will be a bigger part of the pen rather than be pushed out and sent to tune up in the minor leagues for an eventual starting role.

According to ProSportsDaily.com Manuel was asked if the emergence of Fernando Nieve in the pen could free up Mejia to become a starter, Manuel declined, instead noting that he’d like to work him more into a late-inning role.

“Not for me at this point,” Manual said. “I just think there’s tremendous value for a young player to come to the big leagues and maybe the role might not seem as prominent, but the experience being gained here is invaluable for him, even if he has to go back at some point. Even if he stays all year and pitches as a starter in winter ball, I see this as a very valuable lesson for him in going forward.”

While there has been a roar among Mets’ fans wishing that Mejia would be in the minors preparing for a starting job, Manuel feels Mejia is not suited for starting job in the rotation, at least for now.

“I don’t think he has had enough of his repertoire to show,” Manual said. “He’s been mostly a one-pitch or two-pitch guy, but as a starter, the repertoire of the curveball, the change-up, the sinker, all those type of things are needed.”

It isn’t hard for any Mets’ fan to make a decision about weather to have Mejia become a starting pitcher. As much of a key member of the pitching staff Mejia is, I would love to see him stay in the bullpen and continue working on his pitches, stamina, and his emotions in tough situations.

I would hate to see him become a starter way too soon and completely lose his cool.

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At the end of Spring Training, Carlos Beltran said that he wanted to begin running exercises in Port St. Lucie, Florida on April 10 and rejoin the Mets by at least early May, but three weeks after Beltran’s self-imposed deadline, he is still not close to returning to the lineup.

According to the New York Daily News, Beltran was fitted for a custom knee brace last week, which he hoped would help accelerate his rehabilitation.

That occurred during an April 20 visit to the Steadman-Hawkins clinic in Vail, Colorado, where the center fielder underwent knee surgery in January.

The Vail visit was more significant for what Beltran did not get: his medical clearance to begin running. In fact, the Mets have said many times as of late they do not know when Beltran will take that important next step.

While April 10 was never a hard deadline, April 29 and counting is surely a disappointment for the team that seems to be having success without him.

Beltran’s stubborn agent, Scott Boras, has not responded to multiple requests for comment about the outfielder’s status. Boras negotiated a seven-year, $119 million contract for Beltran in January of 2005, and the deal expires after next season.

At this moment, any attempt to pinpoint a possible return for Beltran is based purely on speculation. Given the slow process of his rehab thus far, it is fair to consider a June return would be an optimistic guess.

It is not clear as of yet whether Beltran is considering further surgery that could threaten his season or career.

The Mets have been having great success so far by winning seven consecutive games and moving into first place in the NL East.

Doing so without Beltran is impressive, but I would bet that the Mets would rather have the expensive five-time All-Star in center field—yet it does not seem as though that wish will be fulfilled anytime soon.

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