MLB

The Mets’ flame-throwing Triple-A arm who can’t find the plate

The Mets aim to make Vic Black a closer — if he learns to aim.

Before the Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks on Saturday, Terry Collins said Black — who will join the Mets as the 26th man on the roster for Sunday’s doubleheader against the Diamondbacks — can become a top late-inning pitcher with better command and fewer walks.

“The issue is he’s been walking guys. His stuff? Off the charts,” Collins said. “The other day Wally [Backman, Las Vegas manager] said he came into a game [throwing] 98-99 mph, walked the first guy, got a double-play ball, struck the last guy out. That’s exactly what’s been going on. He hasn’t been getting hit, but the command has not been what you’d like it to be in a guy who you project to be the closer one day.’’

Black — who was viewed as the setup man this spring, but struggled so badly he got demoted — has a sterling 1.45 ERA in Triple-A, but it could be even better if he hadn’t walked 17 and hit one batter in 18 ²/₃ innings.

“If we can get him to have better command of his stuff, he’ll never see the minor leagues again,’’ said Collins, noncommittal on whether Black would stay up beyond Sunday.


Catcher Travis d’Arnaud (concussion) took batting practice, ran the bases and blocked balls Saturday. He’ll start a rehab assignment Sunday at Double-A Binghamton, where he’s expected to start against New Britain.


Dillon Gee (strained right lat) said he’ll throw off a mound Sunday, but that would “most likely” push his return back and he’ll expect to miss more than three turns through the rotation. The series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 3-5 was a likely date.

“[Pushing my return back is] more just because of lineup and personnel decisions,’’ Gee said. “I’ll try to get a rehab start. We’re in the buildup phase now, but I feel good.’’


Reliever Gonzalez Germen is on the disabled list with a virus, and isn’t closer to returning because of an abscess.
“[He’s] not close. He’s still fighting this infection so he hasn’t even been on the mound,’’ Collins said.


Since Jenrry Mejia didn’t pitch Saturday, Collins expects him to be available for both ends of Sunday’s doubleheader.


Arizona will start Bronson Arroyo against Rafael Montero in the first game Sunday and promote Zeke Spruill to face Daisuke Matsuzaka in the second.


David Wright went 3-4, giving him 33 hits this month, second most in the NL. He extended his hitting streak to seven games, and is batting .448 (13-for-29) during his run. He hit his third homer of the year on a third-inning 2-0 pitch.


Curtis Granderson finished 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and a walk, and is hitting .324 in May.