Vic Black threw a bullpen session on Saturday

Vic Black, who has been out since having a precautionary MRI on his shoulder on March 13, threw a bullpen session on Saturday in Port St. Lucie.

Black has been dealing with shoulder tendinitis and his status for Opening Day is viewed by most as 50/50.

Before Black’s MRI – which came back clean – the club noted that the injury is unrelated to the neck and shoulder issues he dealt with at times in 2014.

Black, expected to be a late-inning option in the bullpen along with Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia, and eventually Bobby Parnell, was shut down late last season while dealing with a herniated disk that did not require surgery. He also missed time last season due to a tired shoulder.

In 2.0 innings pitched so far this Spring, Black has given up one run on one hit while walking one and striking out one.

Thoughts:

As is the case with Daniel Murphy, it appears that Vic Black’s status for Opening Day is up in the air.

The Mets start the regular season in nine days, so if they’re confident Black will be ready, it would make sense to have him test out his shoulder in Grapefruit League games.

If the Mets are less optimistic regarding Black’s readiness, the club could simply have him pitch in b-games and/or minor league games in order to back-date a potential disabled list stint nine days into Spring Training.