WASHINGTON — A team that prides itself on young rifles is turning to an old six-shooter to start the season.
Bartolo Colon will become the oldest Opening Day pitcher in Mets history when he pitches Monday at Nationals Park. Colon, at 41 years and 317 days, will earn the distinction over Tom Glavine, who started the Mets' opener in 2007 at 41 years and seven days.
But team brass didn't pick Colon with age records in mind. At issue was how the rest of the rotation would fall behind Colon — including the positioning of Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey, who will pitch the Mets' first and second home games, respectively.
By pitching Harvey in the second home game, the Mets can expect increased attendance at Citi Field (the home opener on April 13 will be full or close to it regardless of who pitches).
Colon, who went 15-13 with a 4.09 ERA last season, hasn't made an Opening Day start since 2006 with the Angels.
"[Colon] has been there so many times before and I think he earned that right," manager Terry Collins said. "You look at what he did last year and he earned it."
Collins noted deGrom and Zack Wheeler were also candidates for the start. Wheeler underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery two weeks ago.
"We just picked Bartolo and it's one start," Collins said. "We're going to get out of the gate and get rolling."
Daniel Murphy participated in the team's workout Sunday at Nationals Park and is expected in Monday's lineup. The second baseman spent the last 2 ½ weeks of camp recovering from a pulled hamstring that had put Opening Day in question.
"We are missing a couple of weapons, but other than that we are in good shape," Collins said.
Those "weapons" — Vic Black and Bobby Parnell — are continuing workouts in Port St. Lucie and will likely rejoin the team this month.
Of the two, Black — who is recovering from shoulder weakness — will likely rejoin the team first. Parnell, who is finishing his rehab from Tommy John surgery, may need another 2-3 weeks.
Talks between the Mets and Lucas Duda's representatives regarding a contract extension for the first baseman have ended without a new deal, according to an industry source. The two sides had set Monday as a deadline.
Anthony Recker's ninth-inning grand slam in Texas on Saturday only fortified Collins' belief the club made the right call keeping Recker as the backup catcher over Johnny Monell, who made a charge at the job in spring training.
"[Recker] is dangerous," Collins said, noting the catcher's penchant for late-inning home runs. "You look up what he's done in the last couple of years, and that is it."
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