NORTH PORT, Fla. — Mike Vasil studied the Braves lineup he was set to face Thursday and said he laughed, understanding the challenge he faced.
Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna, Michael Harris II and the list went on down the line.
“It doesn’t really get much better than that,” the Mets right-hander said. “You just have to have fun with it and go out and execute your stuff and there’s no better lineup to see really what you are made of.”
Vasil, 23, was brought on this trip to Florida’s West Coast from minor league camp because the Mets needed an arm to replace Carlos Carrasco, who originally was scheduled to throw in Port St. Lucie against minor leaguers, but instead received “elbow maintenance.”
He is scheduled to next pitch on Tuesday in camp.
Over three innings, Vasil allowed six hits and two runs, both of which came on an Olson homer.
Vasil is part of a pitching wave the Mets hope could be ready as soon as next season.
He split most of last year between Low-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn and pitched to a 3.53 ERA in 18 appearances with 85 strikeouts and 26 walks in 71 ¹/₃ innings.
“You can see why guys think highly of him,” manager Buck Showalter said. “He’s a kid that has been on the radar for a while.”
Showalter before the game identified the bullpen and fifth starter in the rotation as spots up for grabs for the Opening Day roster.
When asked about the DH situation, which includes veteran Darin Ruf, the manager said that was probably a question for general manager Billy Eppler.
“I think we still have an open mind about everything, but we have got some people with a track record and some guys trying to develop one,” Showalter said. “You can’t get a track record unless you get a chance, right?
“We haven’t gotten real deep into those conversations yet. I think we’re getting real close to it.”
Ruf was a disappointment after arriving at the trade deadline last season.
On Thursday he went 1-for-2 with a double and walk, but is hitting .160 in the Grapefruit League.
Showalter noted that Ruf has impressed on the back fields and guessed the veteran outfielder was hitting .600 in those games.
“No one wants to talk about that,” Showalter said.
Jeff McNeil took nine at-bats on the minor league side in Port St. Lucie and Adam Ottavino pitched an inning, according to Showalter.
The Mets were also encouraged that Brandon Nimmo batted five times and legged out a triple as he looks to return this weekend to the Grapefruit League after spraining his right knee/ankle last week.
