Mets to add 5-6 prospects to 40-man roster on Thursday

In advance of the deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 draft, general manager Sandy Alderson said the Mets will likely add five to six players to the 40-man roster on Thursday.

Alderson noted that the prospects added would include a number of right-handed starting pitchers.

At present, the 40-man roster stands at 35.

However, RHP Jeff Walters underwent Tommy John surgery last season and could potentially be dropped.

Thoughts:

Of the players who will be added to the 40-man roster, RHP Noah Syndergaard is a lock. Fellow RHP Cory Mazzoni and LHP Jack Leathersich should also be close to locks.

Further down the list, but likely to be added, are RHPs Gabriel Ynoa and Logan Verrett.

Most of the players who are added will be those who are likely to see time with the Mets in 2015, making them easy calls to protect.

Syndergaard almost certainly will not break camp with the team, but he could be up as soon as late-April if the club has a need.

Both Mazzoni and Leathersich should be options in the early goings, with Leathersich a choice for the bullpen and Mazzoni someone who can either spot-start or relieve.