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Mets shore up 2017 roster as Zack Wheeler gets a starting nod – Metro US
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Mets shore up 2017 roster as Zack Wheeler gets a starting nod

Zack Wheeler injury: Latest on Mets SP’s arm

The New York Mets’ Opening Day roster is all but set after a hectic and dizzying final week of spring training.

In terms of position players and offense, the only question arose when Juan Lagares picked up an oblique injury Saturday. He won’t be ready for Opening Day as the Mets awarded Michael Conforto his roster spot.

Most of the drama, like much of the Mets’ prospective success this year, stemmed from the pitching staff.

Steven Matz’s elbow discomfort made him questionable for the regular season, meaning New York had to look elsewhere for a fifth starter.

Thanks to their depth, it wasn’t hard to find competition as things came down to Zack Wheeler, who missed the last two years due to Tommy John surgery, and Seth Lugo, who had just eight starts in his major-league career.

A strong outing in his final spring training start was enough to put Wheeler over the top despite his previous health concerns, as general manager Sandy Alderson told the media on Thursday that he would start the team’s fourth game of the season, via Danny Abriano of SNY.tv.

Mets’ Probable Starters

Noah Syndergaard- Monday, April3 vs. Atlanta

Jacob deGrom- Wednesday, April5 vs. Atlanta

Matt Harvey – Thursday, April6 vs. Atlanta

RELATED: Yankees 2017 season preview

Zack Wheeler – Friday, April7 vs. Miami

Robert Gsellman- TBD

The 26-year-old will likely have an innings limit like many players have when returning from Tommy John surgery, which gives ample opportunities for Matz and Lugo to make their way back into the rotation depending on how Gsellman performs and the collective health of the staff.

With Matz on the disabled list and unable to throw for the next three weeks, Lugo is now competing for the final roster spot in the bullpen against Rafael Montero.

Montero was once one of the Mets’ top pitching prospects, but has struggled during multiple stints with the big club forcing him to face a professional future out of the bullpen.