Just Mets

Publicly, the Mets have kept their options open when it has come to deciding who gets the nod on Opening Day in Washington.

However, for the first time this spring, Terry Collins might have offered some clarity on who will be the choice.

On Friday, Terry Collins said Bartolo Colon will next start in a minor league game, and will therefore not start against the Nationals in his next scheduled start next Thursday.

In addition, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Colon is expected to make one more Grapefruit League start, but not against the Nationals on March 31, which would technically be his turn in the rotation.

Rubin also said while still unofficial, the Mets are purposely lining Colon up to pitch on Opening Day against the Nationals in Washington.

No matter what, it seems pretty clear Colon is getting a start against the Nationals in that opening series. Since that’s the case, it makes perfect sense to limit exposing Colon against the Nationals from this point forward. I could see Colon pitching in one last Grapefruit League game on April 1 – the day after what would be his regularly scheduled start against Washington – which would line him up for Opening Day.

Based on how the rotation is lined up, it seems like the Mets will have Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey go in the series against Washington as well. Assuming Colon goes on Opening Day, if I had to take a bet, I’d say deGrom will follow Colon, and Harvey will go in the day game to close out the series. That way, Harvey goes when its potentially warmer outside, and he would follow with the second game at home the following week.