WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In 2022, a Jacob deGrom injury helped Tylor Megill make the Mets rotation at the start of the season.
The next year, Justin Verlander went down to open a spot on Opening Day.
And a year ago, Megill won a competition for a spot out of spring training.
But each year, the right-hander has been unable to stay in the rotation over the course of the season.
For that to change, Megill said he needs to take one significant step.
“Consistency,” Megill said. “That’s always been my downfall, I’d say. Being able to string together good starts. I have stints of good starts and then ruts of three or four bad starts.”
Because of injuries to free agent signings Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas this spring, Megill is lined up to open the year in the rotation once again, and he tossed four shutout innings in the Mets’ 7-4 exhibition loss to the Astros against a solid Houston lineup on Tuesday at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches.
He also struck out five — including Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez in the bottom of the first.
Megill said his goal is to “not try to be too perfect.
Coming into this year, I want to go deep into games. I’ve got to be more efficient.”
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With Kodai Senga, David Peterson and Clay Holmes seemingly locking down the first three spots, Megill, Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning all have a shot to enter the regular season in the rotation.
Carlos Mendoza has liked what he’s seen from Megill’s first two starts, and he believes the pitcher’s time in the majors will pay off this year.
“He’s experienced now,’’ Mendoza said. “He has big league stuff, stuff that should play at this level. He’s taking that next step.”
Brandon Nimmo (knee soreness) stayed back in Port St. Lucie again Tuesday and was expected to resume baseball activities, Mendoza said.
“He’ll go on the field [Tuesday and Wednesday], and we’ll see where we’re at,’’ Mendoza said.
The manager added Nimmo “continues to feel better.”
Nimmo received a gel injection in his right knee and has played in just one game this spring. He’s said he hopes to return to Grapefruit League action this week.
Starling Marte felt fine after appearing in his first game of the spring on Monday while dealing with a right knee bone bruise.
Mendoza said Marte, after serving as the DH, “came out fine” Tuesday and is scheduled to be back at DH on Wednesday.
Francisco Alvarez is expected back in camp in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, Mendoza said.
The competition for Luis Torrens’ backup continued Tuesday against Houston, with Hayden Senger getting the start.
Senger threw out Isaac Paredes attempting to steal second to end the third.
Max Kranick tossed another scoreless inning Tuesday and struck out two more batters. Mendoza said “as of now” the 27-year-old right-hander is being built up as a multi-inning reliever.
With Megill’s start pushed back a day because of inclement weather Monday, prospect Nolan McLean pitched on a back field at minor league camp in Port St. Lucie instead of coming out of the bullpen versus the Astros, according to Mendoza.
Justin Hagenman was among those optioned to minor league camp this week, but Mendoza said he may still get an opportunity in the rotation at some point.
The manager said Hagenman would remain a starter in the minors: “He’s a strike-thrower. He’s a guy we’re gonna be looking at closely.”
The 28-year-old spent all of last year with Boston’s Triple-A Worcester affiliate and signed with the Mets in the offseason.
Mendoza, who spent four years as Yankees bench coach, said it was a “shame” Gerrit Cole would miss all of 2025 with Tommy John surgery.
“You hate to see it, especially to one of the best pitchers in the game,” Mendoza said. “At the end of the day, it comes down to putting on a show for the fans in baseball, and when you see someone go down like that, it’s not good. But knowing Gerrit, he’s gonna do everything he can in his power to be back on the field sooner than later. It’s a shame, but he’ll be back.”
