There have been 12 relievers who have pitched more than 35 innings in each of the last five seasons with an ERA below 4.00. Most of the names you'd expect, like Mariano Rivera and Jonathan Papelbon. But lefty Tim Byrdak also sneaks onto the list, as the 38-year-old has become something of a dependable commodity. Unfortunately for Byrdak and the Mets, though, he isn't going to be healthy for Opening Day:

Got confirmation: Tim Byrdak to have torn meniscus surgery tomorrow. More later.

It's a tough break for one of the clubhouse favorites on the roster, and the knee injury will likely sideline him for a while. When Alex Rodriguez tore his meniscus, it sidelined him for over a month, and it also led to him getting his own blood spun around in a centrifuge and injected back into his knee. So maybe that's not a good comparison ever, for anyone. A-Rod ruins everything.

The Mets should have a fallback plan in place, as they're close to signing C.J. Nitkowski to a minor-league deal.

I'm about an hour into my work day, and I'm already on my second Mets injury. Feels like old times.