11:18 am: Vic Black said he felt good after his bullpen session on Saturday, and expects to throw again from the bullpen on Monday, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
Original Post, 9:02 am: Vic Black remains hopeful nine days is enough time to be ready for Opening Day. He will attempt to take another step forward on Saturday morning.
Black is scheduled to throw a bullpen session at Tradition Field on Saturday. He threw off flat ground on Thursday for the first time in over a week after dealing with continued soreness and weakness in his elbow.
Still, Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said earlier this week Black is, “right on the cusp” of being ready for Opening Day.
Black has been dealing with right shoulder problems for over two weeks, although an MRI showed no structural damage. If Black begins the season on the disabled list, the team can backdate that stint by up to ten days before Opening Day, meaning he can return to the Mets by the first weekend of the season in Atlanta.
In the meantime, candidates to replace Black in the bullpen include Buddy Carlyle and Zack Thornton.
To read my latest roster projection, including an analysis on options for the bullpen, click here.
Just Mets 