PORT ST. LUCIE — Jenrry Mejia has a healthy right elbow and a healthy attitude. Look out, fifth starter.
Mejia made it clear Monday when asked by The Post whether his preference would be to start or relieve. He offered a big smile and said, “You ask me that every year and I always tell you ‘starter.’ I like starter. Always.’’
Indeed. He had some really good starts for the Mets after being called up last season, even though he had an elbow issue much of the year.
Mejia, 24, had bone spurs removed from his elbow Aug. 28. He will be in competition for that fifth spot with Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Lannan, Rafael Montero, Jacob deGrom and others. Come one, come all. And then there is top prospect Noah Syndergaard, waiting in the minor league wings.
“The only thing I know about that is there is going to be a competition,’’ Mejia said. “I’m here. I feel good. I’ll be ready for whatever they want me to do, but I want to be in the fifth spot.’’
Mejia is fearless. That goes a long way in this game.
He also knows his body and told Mets doctors last year there was an issue with his elbow. At first, he said the doctors said he was fine. They took an MRI and bone spurs were found. He pitched through the elbow issues and did an excellent job, considering the circumstances and the long road he has traveled. Mejia started five games for the Mets last season, and was 1-2 with a 2.30 ERA, and 27 strikeouts in 27 ¹/₃ innings. He has 11 starts over 43 major league appearances.
The Mets have many young arms. Zack Wheeler was one of those young arms last spring and offered this advice for the young pitchers:
“Just come in and pitch,’’ Wheeler said. “Don’t try to do too much. Don’t try to worry about making the team. If you perform well, you have a good chance of making the team. There are a lot of young arms. Everybody knows what’s coming. If the guys have any questions, they can come and ask me.’’
A week ago, Wheeler said he wants to be the Mets’ Opening Day starter and he repeated that goal on Monday.
“My mind-set coming in is to push myself and try to get that Opening Day spot,’’ he said.
The loss of Matt Harvey is a “huge hit. Everybody just has to step up a little bit and pitch a little bit better.’’