[EmpireWF]

It looks like the Mets are narrowing down their roster in preparing for opening night Sunday. The 25-man roster will deal with the fact they will not need a fifth starter for the first two weeks of the season. Here's how it may shape out.

*Mike Pelfrey starts in AAA and will make two starts there until they recall him in about two weeks to join the rotation.
*Lastings Milledge (pending the health of his hand) will start the year in the majors. But they want him playing every day and he may be sent down within a few days of April to AAA.

Therefore, it sounds like the Mets will carry 11 pitchers. Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Billy Wagner, Joe Smith (rookie), Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoenweis, Ambiorix Burgos, Aaron Heilman and either Chan Ho Park/John Adkins/Aaron Sele.

Position players: Carlos Delgado, Jose Valentin, Damion Easley, Paul Lo Duca, Ramon Castro, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Julio Franco, Carlos Beltran, Shawn Green, Lastings Milledge, Moises Alou, Endy Chavez and either Ben Johnson/David Newhan.

Look for official news to come tomorrow or Friday.

[EmpireWF]

From MetsBlog, Anderson Hernandez and Ben Johnson have been sent to minor league camp. Relievers Joe Smith and Aaron Sele were added to the 25-man roster.

MB hints that that leaves one more reliever spot for Ambiorix Burgos, Chan Ho Park and John Adkins.

[EmpireWF]

The Mets finalized their 25-man roster. Here's what happened:

-RHP Chan Ho Park accepted being designated to Triple-A New Orleans.
-RHP John Adkins was also sent to Triple-A New Orleans (I assumed he passed through waivers)
-RHP Ambiorix Burgus was told he made the team
-OF Lastings Milledge made the team
-UTI David Newhan also made the team.

Therefore, the official roster is as follows:

(14 position players)
C Paul Lo Duca
C Ramon Castro
OF Carlos Beltran
OF Shawn Green
OF Lastings Milledge
OF Endy Chavez
OF Moises Alou
SS Jose Reyes
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Jose Valentin
UTI David Newhan
1B Julio Franco
2B Damion Easley

(11 Pitchers)
SP Tom Glavine
SP Orlando Hernandez
SP John Maine
SP Oliver Perez
CP Billy Wagner
RP Aaron Heilman
RP Scott Schoeneweis
RP Joe Smith
RP Ambiorix Burgos
RP Pedro Feliciano
RP Aaron Sele

Mike Pelfrey is expected to return to the majors during the second week of April.

[mervinout]

when does pedro return?

[EmpireWF]

He's expected back after the All-Star Break, but as late as early August.