Mets remain bullish on pitching depth as race for final rotation spots takes shape

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets from spring training PORT ST.LUCIE — The most significant news of Mets camp has involved the pitchers the world has yet to see: Frankie Montas (a lat strain that will cost months) and Sean Manaea (an oblique strain expected to cost weeks) will miss time at the start of the season.The pitchers the Mets have seen — which is now every rotation candidate — have given the team some consolation.“We still feel good with our options [after] watching them at least one time through the order,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday, after which all possible rotation members had competed at least once in the Grapefruit League.Kodai Senga, David Peterson and Clay Holmes have looked strong early as the three certainties in the club’s rotation.

Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn have shown health and some promise for a team that likely will keep two of the three in the early-season rotation.While the Mets expect to often employ a six-man rotation, off days bake in an extra rest day for the first two and a half weeks of the season.

The Mets would not need a sixth starter (or need to ask a pitcher to throw on more traditional four days’ rest) until April 16.More injuries in camp could open a door to strike-throwing righty Justin Hagenman or the recently signed José Ureña, who has built up to a live batting practice.Brandon Sproat, Blade Tidwell and Dom Hamel impressed and provided hope they could help later this season, but the prospects were demoted to minor league camp Tuesday.With an order still to be determined, here is how the Mets rotation is shaping up:The certainties:— Senga looks healthy and a bit different, with a tweaked slider and a sinker that is new to his arsenal.— Holmes has been an early standout during his transition from Yankees reliever to Mets starter.In six innings he has not allowed a run...