The Mets announced today that they sent 2B Dilson Herrera, 1B Dominic Smith, SS Gavin Cecchini, 1B Marc Krauss, RHP Gabriel Ynoa, RHP Seth Lugo, RHP Jeff Walters, OF Travis Taijeron, RHP Stolmy Pimentel, OF Brandon Nimmo, LHP Duane Below, RHP Robert Gsellman, and the biggest surprise to me LHP Josh Smoker.

I thought that Smoker would stay longer in camp and get a better look from the Mets brass this spring with a chance to make the Opening Day roster. Of course, being sent down doesn’t mean he can’t make the team but obviously shows the Mets are leaning towards the group of Logan Verrett, Sean Gilmartin, Erik Goeddel, and Jim Henderson for the last couple of spots.

Josh had struggled a little bit with his control in his last two outings while looking like he was working on throwing his slider and split change more. It is still only a matter of time or injury before we him in Flushing this year.

Herrera heads out today for the World Baseball Classic qualifier in Panama as he and Mets pitching prospect Nabil Crismatt play for Team Colombia.

Lugo had a very nice showing this spring including a surprise start yesterday after Jacob deGrom was scratched with back stiffness. We recently ranked him as our number 12 prospect and is someone I think we see pitching in the majors at some point this year.

The non-roster invitees that remain in major league camp are Johnny Monell, Zack Thornton, Nevin Ashley, Ty Kelly, Danny Muno, Buddy Carlyle, Roger Bernadina, and T.J. Rivera. The number of players in big league camp is now at 39, the first round of cuts included Rafael Montero.