Mets send Amed Rosario and five others to minor league camp

The Mets announced their second round of spring training cuts today, optioning four players to minor league camp and re-assigning two others. The players optioned were outfielder Wuilmer Becerra, right-handed pitcher Chris Flexen, right-handed pitcher Marcos Molina, and top shortstop prospect Amed Rosario. Those getting the re-assigned treatment are pitchers Chase Bradford and Adam Wilk. The main difference between the two designations is that the four players being optioned are on the 40-man roster while Bradford and Wilk are non-roster invitees to spring training.

There are now 42 players remaining in big league camp. Of all six guys sent down, Wilk was the most impressive in Grapefruit League action, racking up seven strikeouts with just two walks and two runs allowed in nine-and-one-third innings. Despite his non-roster status, Wilk stands a chance of being a fill-in starter on this year’s Mets due to his previous big league experience with Detroit and the Angels.

Rosario is certainly the biggest name of this group thanks to his impressive standing on every top prospect list in baseball, but it would probably take some kind of catastrophe to get him to the majors before rosters expand in September. Even with David Wright looking doubtful for Opening Day, the Mets have great depth in the infield with Asdrubal Cabrera, Neil Walker, Jose Reyes, and Wilmer Flores all projected to break camp with New York while T.J. Rivera, Gavin Cecchini, and Matt Reynolds are also possible backups.