Just Mets

When Zack Wheeler was lost for the season earlier this month, Terry Collins essentially told reporters Dillon Gee would replace Wheeler in the rotation.

“That’s why we’ve got [Gee]. He’ll be that guy,” Collins said on March 16.

But, 11 days later, Gee has still not been told he’s in the starting rotation, according to Mike Vorkunov of the Star Ledger, and doesn’t know when a decision is going to be officially made.

In addition, David Lennon of Newsday said the Mets haven’t officially decided if it will be Gee or Rafael Montero for the fifth starter spot.

Earlier this week, Andy Martino of the Daily News reported the Mets were contemplating Montero for the fifth starter job even though Gee was the favorite.

Montero is scheduled to start tomorrow’s game against the Marlins in Port St. Lucie.

Competition is never a bad thing, as it keeps everyone on their toes and playing with a purpose, even in perhaps the most mundane part of camp. But ultimately, I expect Gee will win the job. He’s the veteran, they know what to expect from him, and his spot on the roster is probably more valuable with him in the rotation than in the bullpen.

After all, Gee has been a starter his entire career and has never pitched in relief on a regular basis. And, he was struggling to adapt to life in the bullpen earlier in camp. So, why try to reinvent the wheel again this late in camp?

Montero has certainly shown a lot this spring. The main concern the organization has had over the last year is he was unable to throw strikes in the big leagues, which is what he was known for up until he got here. But, he’s shown this spring those issues could be behind him, and he could once again be a productive starting pitcher.