MLB

Mets’ Mejia isn’t bull-ish over possible pen assignment

Jenrry Mejia’s spot in the Mets rotation is in jeopardy, but the young right-hander is resistant to joining the bullpen.

Manager Terry Collins said the team is considering another option for Wednesday’s Subway Series game against the Yankees and Masahiro Tanaka, Mejia’s next turn in the rotation, after yet another short outing by the young right-hander Friday night.

Collins said he spoke with pitching coach Dan Warthen on Saturday morning about what to do Wednesday, but a decision has yet to be made. They plan to speak with general manager Sandy Alderson and other decision-makers in the organization before making a choice.

The Mets are strongly considering moving Mejia to the bullpen, a move he opposes.

“I’ve been a starter and that’s what I’m going to be,” he defiantly told The Post.

Mejia, 3-0 with a 5.06 ERA in seven starts, said Collins has spoken to him about the possibility of moving to the bullpen. Mejia, however, is wary of such a move.

“I’ve had two operations,” he said, referring to a pair of surgeries on his right elbow. “I’m worried about my arm. I want to have a long career. I don’t want to get hurt again.”

Collins said it is more likely the Mets will promote one of their highly touted arms from Triple-A Las Vegas, such as Rafael Montero, Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard, rather than move reliever Daisuke Matsuzaka into the rotation, if Mejia loses his spot. Montero would be the best bet, since he last pitched Friday, tossing 5 ¹/₃ no-hit innings, and would be in line to start Wednesday.


Lucas Duda returned to the lineup for Saturday’s 5-4 loss to the Phillies after missing Friday’s night’s game with food poisoning. The bad grub? A burger.


Triple-A Las Vegas call-up Eric Campbell initially was scheduled to make his major league debut, before Duda was inserted into the lineup. The versatile utility man, who replaced Duda (0-for-2) as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly and stayed in the game at first base, will get his first start Sunday at first base against southpaw Cole Hamels, Collins said.

First baseman Josh Satin was demoted to Las Vegas to make room for Campbell, who was hitting .355 with three home runs, 24 RBIs and a .442 OBP in 33 games for Vegas.


Saturday’s game was delayed 39 minutes by rain.