Adam Rubin writes on Tuesday that pitching prospect Cory Mazzoni will get consideration for the Opening Day roster as a reliever, Terry Collins reiterated Tuesday.

Last season, Mazzoni, 24, started 12 games and was 5-3, with a 4.36 ERA, and 74 strikeouts in 64 innings for Binghamton (AA). His season was cut short after a July 3 start when he injured his right-knee and it resulted in him having to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus.

Rubin shares Collins thoughts on the state of the Mets bullpen, “We’re going to take the best guys we’ve got. If they’re close, you may have to lean toward that veteran guy early.” Collins continues, “But Cory Mazzoni is going to be looked at in this camp, along with Jeff Walters.”

Collins continued about Mazzoni: “He’s got three ‘plus’ pitches. He’s got a plus fastball. He’s got a good slider. And he’s got an outstanding split. We saw last year [in the Grapefruit League], the one night he came in he dominated. The next time he couldn’t get his split down and they got good swings on him. I know he’s been starting in the minor leagues, but he’s going to be an interesting guy to look at.”

The Mets have choices that is for sure and I hope they will give these young arms a real shot to make the team because its time to show the young pitchers that the organization believes in them to get the job done.

(Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)