Dellin Betances Starting Slow for Mets and Targeting Opening Day Amid Velocity Concerns

The New York Mets and their fanbase had to be giddy when they managed to lure Dellin Betances away from the Bronx with a one-year deal in Queens, but that optimism is dangerously close to running out after yet another concerning injury update.

The colossal reliever who only made one appearance last year thanks to injury is still not fully healthy, and he claims his velocity isn't where it's supposed to be the start of Spring Training.

Dellin Betances admits his still not throwing with the velo he wants. He's downplaying it, which is also what he did last spring with the Yankees. Says he feels good and is trying to build up. "I know myself for a long time," he said.
— Anthony Rieber (@AnthonyRieber) March 3, 2020

This is a major development for Betances, considering his whole style of pitching relies around pumping in fastballs close to 100 miles per hour before racking up the strikeouts thanks to a deadly spike curveball.

Betances faced just two batters last year due to injury, and struggling to reach triple digits is certainly not the update Mets fans wanted from their new ace reliever.

Slow-starting Dellin Betances targeting Opening Day to be ready for Mets: https://t.co/NhB0J1IuYX | @AnthonyRieber pic.twitter.com/lS7fvHj0TA
— Newsday Sports (@NewsdaySports) March 3, 2020

Only Betances' failing health could prevent him from once again serving as one of the most dominant relievers in all of baseball. Mets fans just need to close their eyes and pray that his injury is traditional Spring Training soreness and not something emblematic of a bigger arm issue.