Sun 3/18/12 8:28 AM

Tim Byrdak (knee surgery) is still hoping to be ready by Opening Day. It's probably unrealistic, as the Mets are still anticipating that the recovery period will take longer. Perhaps we will see him before the original timetable of late April, though. Garrett Olson is viewed as the favorite to assume Byrdak's spot as the lone left-hander in the Mets bullpen.