The New York Mets officially optioned starting pitcher Tylor Megill to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, informing him that he’ll be the Opening Day starter for the minor-league side.
“It sucks, obviously. You want to be up there playing with them,” Megill told reporters down in Port St. Lucie (h/t Tim Healey, Newsday). “All I can do is just do me right now and work and be ready when my name is called.”
The 27-year-old right-hander has redeveloped his approach after an injury-riddled 2022, throwing at slower velocities to maintain his health. Over five appearances in spring training, he posted a 3.71 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 17 innings of work.
His option to Triple-A confirms that left-hander David Peterson will be a part of the Mets’ starting rotation. He is slated to start the second game of the season down in Miami against the Marlins to help ensure Justin Verlander gets the ball for the home opener on April 6.
Max Scherzer will start Opening Day in Miami on Thursday.
Peterson was nearly perfect during spring training, pitching 12 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit across three starts. While he was originally slated to start the season in the minors alongside Megill, Jose Quintana’s benign lesion will keep the veteran southpaw out until at least July and allowed Peterson to get back into the fold.
The door isn’t necessarily shut on Megill making his way back to Queens. Considering the desire to limit Kodai Senga’s workload as he enters his debut season in the majors after more than a decade in Japan, the Mets are expected to occasionally institute a six-man rotation.
“They’re both good and we’re lucky to have them,” manager Buck Showalter said. “We’re going to need both of them all year.”
