Mets are ready to unleash the rotation dream that seemed dead
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The unit was once the Mets’ Fab Five, a collection of arms with seemingly unlimited potential that would lift the organization to new heights.
But through it all, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler have never thrown a pitch in the same rotation, a streak that could soon end.
With Jason Vargas headed for surgery Tuesday to remove the fractured hamate bone in his right (non-throwing) hand, the Mets are on the precipice of finally having their once-vaunted five together for at least one turn through the rotation to begin the season.
“We have been in this organization for a while now and we see what we’re all capable of,” Matz said Monday after pitching six solid innings against the Astros in an exhibition game. “When they are out there pitching we are watching, and it’s just real fun to watch those guys go and compete. For me, the four or five other days I am just sitting back watching a real good pitcher pitch, so it’s real cool.”
Even so, neither manager Mickey Callaway nor general manager Sandy Alderson was about to officially scratch Vargas from the rotation to begin the season. Vargas has been told he can begin throwing again within five days of the surgery, and based on his pain threshold could theoretically get the ball for his first turn on April 3 or 4. But such a possibility seems like a long shot.
Vargas threw a side session Monday and had to unlace his glove just so it would fit on his hand. The glove was then retied, but not used — bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello received the return throws. Vargas sustained the injury when he was drilled by a line drive Friday in a minor league game.
“The things we have heard are the sensations we are having when we squeeze should be alleviated quite a bit [with surgery],” Vargas said. “So that is what we are really looking for, is being able to have control of my glove and being able to catch the ball without having to wonder if I am going to re-injure myself.”
Wheeler threw one inning in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie and is scheduled to replace Vargas in the rotation Thursday in an exhibition game against the Nationals.
“Everybody is in a real good spot,” Callaway said. “We can’t do anything about line drives, but it sounds like [Vargas] is not going to be out very long, so we’ll see what happens.”
Injuries have prevented the one-time Fab Five from performing together in the same rotation. Most notably, Wheeler missed two seasons rehabbing from Tommy John surgery before Syndergaard was sidelined most of 2017 after tearing his right lat.
“All that we need is health,” Jay Bruce said. “We need health and we’re going to bet on those guys versus anybody.”
But Alderson, who signed the lefty Vargas to a two-year contract worth $16 million last month, isn’t getting caught up in the idea of his former Five Aces pitching together.
“It’s about winning games and being competitive,” Alderson said.
Matz solidified his hold on a rotation spot — Vargas or no Vargas — by allowing two earned runs on five hits with nine strikeouts over six innings against the defending World Series champions. If Vargas were ready to begin the season, Wheeler would likely be squeezed to the bullpen or optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas as rotation insurance.
Matz’s “conviction” with his pitches against the Astros was impressive, according to Callaway.
“You saw it and obviously the strikeout total was high, but that’s maybe the best lineup he is going to face all year,” Callaway said. “That’s a pretty potent lineup and he went after them. That is what I thought was best about him today.”
Matz opened the spring with two abysmal starts, but has rebounded with three straight solid appearances, all but eliminating the possibility he will be asked to refine his stuff at Las Vegas to begin the season.
“With the slow start I had, I put the work in and it’s really starting to pay off,” Matz said. “I am starting to feel comfortable out there on the mound now.”