MLB

Oh, Jenrry: Mejia impresses Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE — The hysteria surrounding Jenrry Mejia only figures to increase as spring training progresses.

The rookie right-hander was electric in his Grapefruit League debut yesterday, firing 2 1/3 hitless innings with four strikeouts and no walks in the Mets’ 4-3 exhibition loss to the Marlins in 10 innings.

The 20-year-old entered camp as a long shot to make the roster, but the odds are shrinking.

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“If we continue to see that, we’ll have to have some strong conversations,” manager Jerry Manuel said.

Would the manager feel as if he was inhibiting Mejia’s growth by using him from the bullpen?

“Not when you need an eighth-inning guy,” Manuel said.

It was Manuel who raised eyebrows last week by comparing Mejia’s cutter to the pitch that has made Mariano Rivera a surefire Hall of Famer.

“When I saw that in the paper, I said, ‘Whoa, Mariano what?’ ” Mejia said.

Manuel is considering a bullpen that includes Mejia. The manager said if the rookie makes the team he would be groomed for the setup role, but not handed the job immediately.

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Mike Pelfrey will make his first spring start, today in Viera against the Nationals.