Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reported earlier that despite a solid spring, Jenrry Mejia appears to be the odd man out in the battle for the fifth spot in the Mets rotation.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is starting Tuesday’s Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers, is projected to win the competition against John Lannan and Mejia for the fifth starter’s role, Rubin noted.

Mejia will likely join a very impressive stable of young arms at Triple-A Las Vegas, including the recently demoted Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero along with Jacob deGrom, Logan Verrett and/or Cory Mazzoni. They will provide plenty of depth should the need arise.

Thoughts from David C.

If Mejia is not awarded the 5th spot in the rotation, than best to just let him start the season in Vegas and let it play out on the big club.  I am sure that it will not take long before he is back in the rotation.  The way Dice-K has pitched this Spring, I really do not see him lasting too long with the Mets.  If his 4.97 ERA is any indication of what is to come once the season gets going, then the Mets can do a lot better with Mejia mowing down the hitters. I have said this all winter and spring when any thoughts of not having Mejia in the rotation popped up; just let the kid pitch, he has great stuff and just needs to be left alone to do his thing. Hopefully that is exactly what happens.

(Photo Credit: Brad Barr/USATSI)