Darin Gorski and Reese Havens to be outrighted off the 40-man roster

According to Adam Rubin, the Mets are planning to outright prospects Darin Gorski and Reese Havens. That would leave the team with just 36 players on the 40-man roster (35 once the Mets officially place Johan Sanatana on the 60-day disabled list). Four of the five open spots will likely go to non-roster invitees Marlon Byrd, LaTroy Hawkins, Scott Atchison, and Omar Quintanilla. The fifth spot could go to Aaron Laffey as insurance for Shaun Marcum or be used to pick up another team's 40-man roster casualty.

Havens was the 22nd overall pick in the 2008 draft. He was the second of three first round picks the Mets had in that draft, the other two being Ike Davis and Brad Holt. Havens has struggled with injury issues throughout his minor league career. He's played just 307 games in five professional seasons, most recently 94 games with Binghamton in 2012. Havens hit just .215/.340/.351 with the B-Mets and struck out 113 times in 390 plate appearances. He has also visibily lost range at second base over the years, which is likely connected with his struggles to stay on the field. Andy Martino reported Tuesday night that the Blue Jays had some interest in Havens, so it is very likely that he will not clear waivers.

Gorski was a seventh round pick in 2009 out of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. After two so-so campaigns in Brooklyn and Savannah, the lefty had a velocity spike in 2011 and broke out as a prospect in St. Lucie. GHe was named the Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year, posting a 2.08 ERA while striking out better than a batter per inning in the Florida State League. His 2012 for Binghamton was more up-and-down, but the Mets still elected to add him to the 40-man roster this past offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. As a lefty without a plus fastball or average breaker, Gorski has a decent shot at passing through waivers, but if he doesn't it might cost the Mets the best chance to develop a major leaguer out of their disasterous 2009 draft.

For more on Havens, Gorski, and the Mets 40-man roster situation, you can check out my piece on this topic from Wednesday or the most recent edition of Amazin' Avenue Audio.