Just Mets

When Zack Wheeler was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his elbow, the Mets immediately transitioned Dillon Gee back to a starting pitcher, and it was largely understood he would be back in the rotation.

However, Andy Martino of the Daily News says while Gee remains the favorite for the fifth starter spot, the team is still considering Rafael Montero for the rotation.

Gee’s a veteran and they know what to expect from him as a starter, whereas it’s not clear he can be effective in relief. Terry Collins said earlier in camp Gee was struggling to adapt to the relief role, so it would be surprising to see them send him back to the bullpen again.

Gee has only allowed two earned runs in 9 2/3 innings as a starting pitcher this spring, including four scoreless on Tuesday.

Montero will start tomorrow against the Yankees in Tampa. It will be his first start of the spring. He’s made only two relief appearances this spring with inconsistent results, although he allowed only a run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings of relief on March 19.

Sandy Alderson said last week Montero is likely to make the team, seemingly as a reliever. They always have the option of sending him to Las Vegas to work as a starter just in case, but that would limit their immediate flexibility in case they need an emergency starter. However, the question is whether or not Montero is more valuable to the organization as a starting pitcher or a reliever. This has been the debate for a while, and especially since he was demoted to the minors after struggling to throw strikes as a starter last May.

One way or another, it would be prudent to figure out what Montero’s identity will be sooner rather than later.