PORT ST. LUCIE — Jon Niese has known for weeks he would likely be named the Mets’ opening day starter, but yesterday it became official.
With Johan Santana still nowhere close to appearing in an exhibition game, manager Terry Collins named Niese his starter for April 1 against the Padres at Citi Field.
Though the Mets aren’t officially saying Santana will begin the season on the disabled list, general manager Sandy Alderson said that outcome is likely.
Santana has been attempting to build up strength in his left shoulder and hasn’t thrown from a mound in nearly three weeks.
Those circumstances left Niese as the logical choice for the opener.
”I want to thank the Mets for putting the trust in me to have this opportunity,” Niese said. “But I’m going to treat it as any other start. Just like if I’m the fifth starter if I’m the second, third or fourth I’m going to prepare the same and just go out there and compete.”
Jeremy Hefner is positioned to replace Santana in the rotation once the decision to DL him becomes official. Hefner allowed two runs on five hits over five innings in the Mets 3-2 exhibition loss to the Cardinals yesterday.
Shaun Marcum, Matt Harvey and Dillon Gee would round out the Mets’ rotation to begin the season.
Niese went 13-9 with a 3.40 ERA last season to solidify his standing within the organization.
”I thought after last season, especially at the end of last season, Jon Niese stepped forward to be the pitcher everybody expected him to be,” Collins said. “He’s had a very good spring and we feel very confident he’s the right guy to start this off.”
Niese said it’s meaningful to start the first game of the season.
”By no means do I want to say I’m the leader of the staff,” Niese said. “Obviously Johan and Marcum do a very good job of that, but now that I’m in this role I’m just going to do the best I can to compete.”