port street. LUCIE — Tommy Hunter entered spring training as a likely component of the Mets’ bullpen. The team’s recent string of injuries makes it more likely that he will stick around.
Most notably, Edwin Diaz is expected to miss the season.
Last week, Sam Coonrod and Bryce Montes de Oca were also diagnosed with injuries and placed on injured reserve to start the season.
Hunter, 36, is poised for another opportunity after returning last year from career-threatening back surgery.
Diaz’s absence will lead to a change in the role of the bullpen, but Hunter doesn’t think his use in higher leverage situations is necessary for him.
“I like to come out of the bullpen first,” Hunter said Saturday. [inning], for the fourth, I don’t care. I’m fine with that I don’t know what else to say. Sometimes I have to wait until the end of the game, and it’s hard. So you see players who don’t come out to the bullpen until the 5th or 6th inning. A lot of the time I have to be there and ready. ”
It’s his humility that made him a Buck Showalter favorite during his time with the Orioles from 2011-2015.
Last season, Hunter appeared in 18 games for the Mets, signed a minor league contract midseason, and pitched a 2.42 ERA. He agreed to another minor league deal with the Mets after the season.
“I like what I do, [Showalter] I know what I’m good at,” Hunter said. “I trust him. I am not afraid.”
David Peterson will start, and Tyler Megill will be piggybacking every four innings on Sunday.
Both sides are battling to open the Mets rotation created by the absence of Jose Quintana — the left-hander is expected to miss at least half of the season after undergoing bone graft surgery on his left fifth rib on Friday. It is
Megill and Peterson are enjoying a strong Grapefruit League season.
The right-handed Megil posted a 1.08 ERA in three games this spring.
The left-handed Peterson has not allowed an earned run in three appearances spanning eight innings.
The Mets gave Ronnie Mauricio and Joey Lucchesi options to Triple-A Syracuse. Abraham Almonte and Jaylin Davis have been reassigned to minor league camps.
Team bonding activities are scheduled for Sunday night when the Mets convene for a crawfish boil arranged by Max Scherzer.
Earlier this month, the Mets held a talent show that was largely well received.
