Tobi

Stoner

Stoner posted a rough 6.05 ERA and 67/28 K/BB in 105 2/3 innings last year in the Mets’ minor league system. The 27-year-old righty will try to latch on elsewhere.

Stoner, who went 4-6 with a 4.33 ERA in 15 starts after moving up to Double-A last year, had been on the shelf with a partially torn labrum. While the team would certainly prefer to not have to turn to him, he’s one of the fallback options for the Mets rotation.

Even though the Mets enter play on Tuesday at 65-86, that doesn’t mean they won’t stop tinkering with their rotation. But don’t get too excited, this only means that Tobi Stoner or Lance Broadway may get a start on Sunday against the Marlins. Neither is worthy of fantasy consideration.

This news means that the Mets don’t expect Maine to go long in the game. Stoner was just recalled from Triple-A Buffalo after posting a 3.96 ERA in 16 starts for Buffalo.

After going 2-2 with a 2.68 ERA in seven starts with Double-A Binghamton, Stoner went 7-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 16 starts with Triple-A Buffalo. With a low-strikeout rate and high flyball rate in the minors, he doesn’t figure to have much success on the major league level. His future is likely in the bullpen.

Ironically, Tobi Stoner is the nickname Grant Roberts used to go by when he was in the Mets system. The 23-year-old right-hander was 1-5 with a 2.60 ERA, 46 H and 48/9 K/BB in 52 IP for Single-A St. Lucie. He’s not one of the Mets’ top prospects, but he has a chance to surface as a middle reliever.

He’s pitched 10 2/3 innings and allowed one run, that coming in his first appearance. Stoner was 5-11 with a 3.64 ERA, 126 H and 107/38 K/BB in 131 IP between Single-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton this year. He could be a middle reliever in the majors.

Stoner, a 25-year-old right-hander, allowed five hits and two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings of work this spring. The Mets also optioned outfielders Nick Evans and Jason Pridie to Buffalo.

Rubin did not say what the corresponding move would be, but he speculated that Raul Valdes could be headed for Triple-A Buffalo. The Mets used nine pitchers on Saturday, so a spare arm would definitely be useful for manager Jerry Manuel.

New York used nine pitchers in Saturday’s 20-inning victory over St. Louis, so it was hardly surprising that they looked to the minors to help their fatigued bullpen. Stoner’s stay should be short, however. Expect him to be sent down in the next few days after the bullpen solidifies itself.