Former Binghamton Mets Fighting For Big League Starts

The New York Mets spring training roster is highlighted by a number of players who have honed their skills with a stay in Binghamton playing for the Double-A B-Mets.  Plenty of players who have excelled here and moved up to Triple-A ball in Las Vegas are fighting for a roster spot and playing time with New York.

Left-handed pitcher Jon Niese was thought to be getting the nod as New York's opening day pitcher.  However, Niese complained of elbow discomfort in an outing against the Cardinals yesterday and was removed from the game. He went to New York where he was examined and received a cortisone shot.  He will rest his arm for the next several days before resuming throwing.  It is now expected he will be on the disabled list when the Mets meet the Nationals on March 31 to open up their season. Niese went 6-7 in 22 games in Binghamton in 2008.  He pitched in one game with the B-Mets last season when he went five innings to get a victory.

Rafael Montero is one of the fine, young pitching prospects in the New York Mets organization.  He was 7-3 in Binghamton last season before moving up to Triple-A and Las Vegas where he was 5-4.  Montero pitched 2 2/3 innings versus the Chicago Cubs yesterday.  He gave up two earned runs and gave up four hits.  If Niese lands on the disabled list to start the season it may open up a slot on the big-league roster for Montero.