Mets Starting Pitchers At A Glance

Here's a quick look at how the Mets starting pitching options have fared in the Grapefruit League thus far this spring...

Zack Wheeler: 1-1, 8 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO, 0.84 ERA, 10.2 IP
Wheeler has had a strong spring thus far.  Control issues appear to be the biggest threat to his young career, but they haven't been a major concern.  He looks as though he's set to cruise into his sophomore season.
 
Bartolo Colon: 0-1, 12 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO, 7.27 ERA, 8.2 IP
The crafty veteran's stats probably won't make many Mets fans feel secure about Colon's acquisition.  However, both he and Mets management appear happy with his progression.  Defense will be key when Colon is on the bump, but he's been as advertised so far.

Dillon Gee: 0-0, 9 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 1.69 ERA, 5.1 IP
Coming into the season on his first significant salary raise, Gee has been fairly hittable this spring.  However, he's managed to limit the damage on the scoreboard, something he's always been good at.

Jon Niese: 0-0, 6H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO, 18.00 ERA, 2.0 IP
Battling shoulder issues and dead arm once more, Niese is currently the biggest question mark in the Mets rotation.  His trip to New York for an MRI may not have raised additional concerns, but his first spring outing was ugly.  Niese brushed off the bad start, but its a fair guess that the team brass will be paying plenty of attention to his second spring start today.

Daisuke Matsuzaka:  0-1, 11 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO, 3.52 ERA, 7.2 IP
Dice-K is the leader in the clubhouse when it comes to the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation.  His performance thus far may even warrant it.  He hasn't been spectacular, but he has been consistent.  That's about all you can ask from your fifth starter.

Jenrry Mejia: 0-0, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 0.00 ERA, 2.0 IP
For some reason likely tied to maintaining rotation depth early in the season, Mejia has been on the outside looking in all Spring.  He appears destined to start the year in the Las Vegas rotation.  Nonetheless, if he doesn't go north with the big league team, he'll be there eventually as the season progresses.

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Good or bad, these statistics are all the result of small sample sizes.  Fans shouldn't get too high or too low on anyone at this point.  My main concern is for Jon Niese, but that's based more upon a feared injury than his performance.  The Mets have options for the rotation so if these guys can't get it done, they have others who can fill in if necessary.