MLB Player News

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson  said Tuesday that pitcher Rafael Montero will very likely make the team as a reliever, ESPNNewYork.com reports.

"From my standpoint, to the extent that we can keep him and avoid sending him back to Vegas, that would be a good thing," Alderson said about Montero. "He’s done very well over almost two seasons at Vegas. I’d hate to overcook a guy by sending him back again. But if it’s necessary, it is. Anyway, the numbers do suggest he has a better opportunity now than he did before."

It was reported Monday that the team had considered Montero a candidate to fill the rotation spot of the injured Zack Wheeler, but Dillon Gee is the favorite to join the rotation instead. Montero has pitched almost exclusively as a starter in his professional career, but he made two relief appearances as well as eight starts during his first major-league season in 2014. He allowed two earned runs in 1 1/3 innings in his only spring appearance to date.

Mets pitcher Vic Black is scheduled to throw on flat surface on Tuesday for the first time since dealing with a shoulder issue, per Adam Rubin of ESPN. Black underwent an MRI on Friday, which revealed no structural damage to his shoulder. He was prescribed rest for a couple of days. Black has not pitched in a game since March 9.

With Zack Wheeler likely headed for Tommy John surgery, the Mets have considered Rafael Montero as a possible candidate for his rotation spot. However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Dillon Gee has shown signs of displeasure with his role in the bullpen, and appears the most likely candidate to replace Wheeler, though general manager Sandy Alderson refused to name one in a phone conference with media members on Monday.

Montero went 1-3 with a 4.06 ERA over 10 appearances (eight starts) in his first major-league season. Gee went 7-8, with a 4.00 ERA in 22 starts for the Mets last year. He has gone 40-34 with a 3.91 ERA in his five MLB seasons, all with the Mets.

With reliever Josh Edgin expected to miss the 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery, the Mets have been scouting Orioles reliever Brian Matusz, eyeing the left-hander as a potential replacement for New York's bullpen, according to the New York Post. Scott Rice , Dario Alvarez, Jack Leathersich and Rule 5 pick Sean Gilmartin are considered the internal options to take Edgin's spot, if the Mets don't make a trade.

Diamondbacks pitchers Vidal Nuno and Andrew Chafin are only being considered for bullpen roles and no longer under consideration for the starting rotation, manager Chip Hale said Sunday per MLB.com.

Nuno has appeared in two games this spring, posting a 10.80 ERA in five innings. Chafin has a 6.75 ERA in four innings, allowing six hits and three runs.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson will make the opening day roster, manager Chip Hale said Sunday per FOXSportsArizona.com.

Hudson's role has still yet to be determined, however. Hale said he will continue to prepare for the season as a starter after missing the last two seasons with Tommy John surgeries.

A sore back has prevented Padres pitcher Brandon Maurer from playing over the last few days, reports U-T San Diego.

Manager Bud Black said Maurer would throw a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday and could possibly pitch in Tuesday's split-squad game.

"He's getting closer," Black said. "But he has had a little bit of a back issue. We've just been real cautious with it knowing there's plenty of time left here this spring."

Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez (elbow) is scheduled to throw off a mound within the next 10 days and is targeting a return in early May, the Arizona Republic reports.

"When I come back, I want to be ready," Hernandez said. "I want to be counted on to go one, two, three days in a row. It's just not fair to the other guys in the bullpen when they need a day and you haven't really thrown all that much. When and if I come back, I want to be counted on as a guy who can be in there in any game, in any situation."

Hernandez missed the 2014 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Mets pitcher Josh Edgin is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, The Star-Ledger reports.

Edgin said Saturday he had yet to make a decision on whether to have the surgery and that he was seeking a second opinion on his overstretched ligament. The rehab will sideline Edgin for the entire 2015 season, leaving the Mets to find a new primary left-hander for the bullpen.

Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa struggled in his most recent appearance against the Mariners.

"I was rushing a little," De La Rosa said. "It's not a big deal. I tried to do too much, tried to throw perfect pitches. I think that's what made me rush a little bit."

After having a successful first inning, De La Rosa faltered in the second.

"The first inning he wasn't [rushing]," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "After that he definitely was rushing or something was different about it because he didn't throw as many strikes. We're just seeing some chinks in the armor. We're going to have to fix it. It's our job."

De La Rosa, 26, began his career with the Dodgers, then spent time with the Red Sox, before joining the Diamondbacks.