Mets Notebook: Elieser Hernandez starting season on IL, Bryce Montes de Oca undergoes surgery

MIAMI — The Mets haven’t announced their Opening Day roster just yet but you can cross Elieser Hernandez’s name off of the list. The right-hander will start the season on the injured list with a shoulder strain.

The injury occurred in a Grapefruit League game last week. The right-hander came out of a game complaining of some soreness, which then lingered for a few days. However, the Mets aren’t concerned considering he’s already playing catch and said he has taken well to anti-inflammatories.

Hernandez probably wouldn’t have made the team right out of camp since they project him as a starter, but with a handful of relievers getting injured in recent weeks, he was still an option. The Mets will likely start him in Triple-A Syracuse and stretch him out as a starter.

Hernandez was acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins in December, along with right-hander Jeff Brigham, who was vying for the eighth bullpen spot before the Mets optioned him to Triple-A. The two pitchers were traded for outfielder Jake Mangum.

Right-hander Bryce Montes de Oca underwent elbow surgery Wednesday. Montes de Oca, who had Tommy John surgery in high school, ulnar nerve transposition surgery in college and various other surgeries as a pro, has been shut down with a flexor strain. The surgery was more of an exploratory variety, according to general manager Billy Eppler, with the intent to get a look at any potential damage and remove some loose bodies in the joint.

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