Just Mets

Jenrry Mejia started the season as the Mets closer, and he was warming up to save the team’s first win on Opening Day.

But that never happened and he still has yet to pitch for the Mets this season. He went on the disabled list on April 7 after straining his elbow during that warmup session, and just five days later, he was suspended for 80 games for using a performance enhancing drug.

Mejia is eligible to return from the restricted list on July 7 when the team is in San Francisco. And, assistant GM John Ricco told Joel Sherman of the New York Post Mejia is expected to be activated on that day and immediately placed in the team’s bullpen.

It’s not unexpected. Assuming Mejia’s performance last year wasn’t the result of the drug, he can still be a very valuable weapon late in games for the Mets in the second half. He can grab the baton as a fresh arm from what will undoubtedly be a tired bullpen by then, and presumably be a great asset to them when the time comes.

However, this is a delicate situation.

Major League Badeball rules state any player suspended for using a performance enhancing drug cannot participate in the postseason. So, while the Mets could receive a benefit from Mejia’s return, they’d be forced to reshuffle the deck again in their bullpen should they qualify for the playoffs. That’s not necessarily an ideal circumstance at that time of year, but none the less something the front office and coaching staff will have to address, should they get there.

Of course, they need to get there for this to be a problem.

There’s also the issue of who Mejia might replace when he is activated. They already have to make considerations  in the near-term for both Vic Black and Bobby Parnell. Assuming everyone continues to perform and nobody gets injured, the choices will only be even more difficult to make in July. There’s also a 40-man roster consideration to make, as they have to make room for Mejia there as well.

It will also be interesting how it affects the clubhouse. David Wright, Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson in particular were very loud in their disapproval and disappointment in Mejia when this happened early last month. Mejia I’m sure will be forced to own up to this with his teammates in some capacity.

Ricco told Sherman Mejia is at the team’s academy in the Dominican Republic working out. The plan is for a Mejia to return to Port St. Lucie in early June and start pitching competitively in minor league games later next month.