Four Mets enjoy first time on Opening Day roster
Josh Smoker #49 of the New York Mets pitches in the sixth inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Washington Nationals at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 23, 2017 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Credit: Getty Images / Joe Robbins
The Mets officially submitted their 25-man roster Sunday afternoon. For four members of the group, it was the first time in their careers that they were included on the roster for Opening Day.
“I’ve always dreamed about this,” said lefthanded reliever Josh Smoker, a former first-round pick whose career has been derailed by injuries.
But Smoker persisted, making his big-league debut last season along with righthander Robert Gsellman and utilitymen T.J. Rivera and Ty Kelly. Now, for the first time in their careers, each will be standing on the foul line Monday during introductions against the Braves.
“All the talent on this team is unbelievable,” said Rivera, a Bronx native who began his pro baseball career as an undrafted free agent. “To be around it is going to be pretty fun.”
Kelly lost his spot on the 40-man roster just before spring training. That meant regaining a spot on the roster would be yet another obstacle he eventually would clear.
“This is my ninth year playing,” he said. “So controlling things that I can control is important to me. Being on the 40-man or being off it, it’s an imaginary thing in the background. It affects me, but it can’t affect the way that I go about things or the way that I play out there. It’s all about taking advantage of opportunities. Whether I’m on the 40-man or not, it’s the same at-bat.”
Kelly, who was added back to the 40-man roster Sunday, took the place of suspended closer Jeurys Familia.
DL moves
Seth Lugo was among four players placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to March 30. The team called his injury right elbow inflammation. Also added to the DL were Juan Lagares (left oblique), Brandon Nimmo (right hamstring) and David Wright (cervical disc).
