Photo by Ed Delany, MMN

Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports Tylor Megill has been informed by the Mets he will begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse. He will Syracuse’s Opening Day starter.

This news comes on the heels of Jon Heyman of the New York Post reporting left-handed starting pitching David Peterson beat out Megill for the last spot in the Opening Day rotation. That spot opened up after Jose Quintana suffered a stress fracture in his ribs and had a benign tumor discovered. As a result, Quintana underwent bone graft surgery which will keep him out for at least three months.

Peterson won the job after a strong spring. He did not allow a run over 12 scoreless innings striking out 13. There were some control issues with him walking eight batters.

Last season, Peterson made 19 starts for the Mets. As a starter, he was 6-5 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.341 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, and a 10/9 K/9. He averaged 4 2/3 innings per start.

Megill struggled in his last two spring starts. Last Sunday, he walked five over three innings while allowing six runs (three earned). This past Sunday, he walked over five over five innings while allowing three earned.

Reports are Megill has been working on a new slider this spring, and he has attributed some of his control issues to his trying to work on a new pitch. He will now get the opportunity to work on it in Syracuse while being at the ready to rejoin the Mets rotation once there is an injury to one of the other starting pitchers.

Last season, Megill was a surprise Opening Day starter after injuries to Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. He made nine starts going 4-2 with a 5.01 ERA, 1.210 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, and a 10.2 K/9. Of note, he was threw five hitless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies when the Mets had their first combined no-hitter in team history.

Megill would suffer a shoulder strain during the season. After struggling in two June starts, he was moved to the 60 day IL. At the end of the season, he attempted to come back as a reliever. He would be named to the postseason roster for the Mets Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres, but he would not make an appearance.