Breaking down Mets' remaining roster battles

This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo's Mets Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Officially, 46 players remain in Mets camp, down from 62 to open Spring Training. The team still must trim another 20 players from that roster, with few easy decisions among them.

Spots remain up for grabs in the lineup, rotation and bullpen. Here’s a look at the four most intriguing ones entering the final days of Spring Training:

The job: Fifth starter

The favorite: David Peterson

In the mix: Tylor Megill

Complicating factor: Why not both?

José Quintana’s rib surgery created an opening for either Peterson or Megill … or possibly both, if the Mets choose to open the season with a six-man rotation.

Team officials have already expressed a desire to insert a sixth starter into the rotation any time they have a long stretch of play without an off day. The first week qualifies, with eight consecutive games on the schedule before the Mets receive a break. They have just four off days through their first 53 games.

If the Mets instead choose to run with a five-man rotation, the edge goes to Peterson, who has allowed one hit in 12 scoreless innings. He has also walked eight and struck out 13.

Megill was nearly as dominant until his last start, when he allowed three runs in 3 2/3 innings. Given Peterson’s spring success and longer big-league track record, it would be a surprise to see him lose his grip on this job.

The job: Third base starter

The favorite: Eduardo Escobar

In the mix: Brett Baty, Mark Vientos

Complicating factor: Could a platoon work?

The people’s champion is unquestionably Baty, a talented rookie who has excelled offensively while putting defensive questions to rest in Major League camp.

But the Mets aren’t about to brush aside Escobar, their hottest hitter last September. While away at the World Baseball Classic, Escobar was unable to state his case, but his track record (131 homers in the past six seasons) and contract (he’s still owed a guaranteed $10 million) mean he’s going to be part of this team.

If there’s a compromise, it could be a platoon between the left-handed Baty and the switch-hitting Escobar, who is stronger from the right side. Escobar could also serve as designated hitter on occasion. But manager Buck Showalter has noted the value in having Baty and Vientos report to Triple-A Syracuse to receive consistent reps early this season.

Both are blue-chip prospects who can help the Mets eventually. It doesn’t have to be on Opening Day.

The job: Right-handed DH

The favorite: Darin Ruf

In the mix: Vientos, Tommy Pham

Complicating factor: Is there room to carry Tim Locastro?

Earlier this week, Showalter offered a vocal defense of Ruf, who has struggled in Spring Training but, in his manager’s words, is “hitting .600” with multiple home runs on the back fields. (Showalter later quipped that it’s more like .580.)

Ultimately, Ruf’s years-long track record as a lefty masher figures to sway the Mets, who would probably rather deal with a few weeks of poor production than risk cutting Ruf too soon in favor of Vientos, who enjoyed a strong spring but is unproven at the highest level.

Then again, Ruf’s presence would make it difficult for the team to find at-bats for Pham, who will be on the roster anyway and also excels against lefties. Something has to give.

One other aspect to consider: If the Mets designate Ruf for assignment and eat the $3.25 million they owe him, it would clear space for them to carry Locastro, whose speed -- he’s stolen six bases this spring without being caught -- is a dimension they currently lack on the bench.

The job: Bullpen roles aplenty

The favorites: John Curtiss, Tommy Hunter, Stephen Nogosek

In the mix: Jimmy Yacabonis, Jeff Brigham, Zach Muckenhirn, T.J. McFarland, Dennis Santana, Elieser Hernández, Denyi Reyes

Injuries to Edwin Díaz and others have changed the complexion of this unit, all but forcing the Mets to carry Curtiss, Hunter and Nogosek in addition to the high-leverage quartet of David Robertson, Adam Ottavino, Brooks Raley and Drew Smith.

That realistically leaves one spot for seven other hopefuls. Keep an eye on Muckenhirn, who is left-handed and hasn’t allowed an earned run all spring.