PORT ST. LUCIE — Tim Peterson went from left out to back in the mix fairly quickly.
Two days after the right-handed reliever was reassigned to minor league camp, he was back starting a Grapefruit League game for the Mets on Sunday and told he still has a chance to begin the season on the major league roster.
“This was a surprise coming back that early, but I have just got to be ready for anything,” said Peterson, who pitched two scoreless innings against the Nationals and remains a candidate for the bullpen.
The Mets have Peterson, Luis Avilan and Rule 5 pick Kyle Dowdy as the three main candidates for the last two spots in the bullpen, but are also monitoring the waiver wire for potential help, according to an industry source.
Peterson is unscored upon in eight of his 10 appearances this spring. An industry source said he was dealing with tightness in his rib cage last week, when he had a rough outing against the Nationals and allowed three runs in 1 ²/₃ innings.
Wilson Ramos left the game in the third inning after trying to contain a wild pitch with his throwing hand. X-rays on the hand were negative, according to manager Mickey Callaway, who said Ramos likely would have remained in the game during the regular season. Ramos had protection on his ring finger and pinkie after the game.
Travis d’Arnaud is scheduled to work out in Port St. Lucie for the next three days as the Mets try to determine whether the catcher should be added to the 25-man roster or placed on the injured list following his return from Tommy John surgery.
D’Arnaud played in a minor league game on Sunday. If he opens the season on the injured list, Tomas Nido would begin the season as the Mets’ backup catcher. Devin Mesoraco remained in limbo a day after he refused the Mets’ assignment to minor league camp.
Mesoraco is pushing for the organization to release him so he can pursue other potential big-league jobs. If the Mets refuse to release him, he would be placed on the restricted list and could retire, according to a source.
The Mets bused three hours to Sarasota after the game. They are scheduled to play their Grapefruit League finale Monday before flying directly to Syracuse for a workout the following day.
