Mar 22, 2010 5:47 PM EST

Jenrry Mejia hasn't pitched above Double-A, but that won't keep the Mets from giving him a shot to pitch in the big leagues at the beginning of the season.

New York manager Jerry Manuel doesn't think throwing Mejia to the wolves is a bad move, even if he struggles and gets sent down to the minors.

"No, I think it'd be an excellent opportunity for him to get a glimpse at what it takes to be a major-league pitcher," he said.

"It would be in a role that he would be somewhat unfamiliar with, so you'd get him back and start him and get him back on track. I think it would continue to feed the hunger that he has to get to the major leagues. And to stay."

Via New York Post