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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Carlos Mendoza is keeping the Mets' Opening Day plans close to the vest.
The Mets manager said that certain players will make the flight west from Florida to Houston without completely knowing whether they will be included on the 26-man roster for the first game against the Astros on Thursday.
"We still got three more games here and a lot can happen," Mendoza said prior to Saturday's game. "It’s not an easy situation as a player. It’s part of the business and we were pretty honest with them. They’re gonna get on that plane and we’ll see what we got."
Mendoza did provide a little bit more clarity about the final contenders for a spot when he disclosed that right-handed pitchers Chris Devenski, Genesis Cabrera and Jose Ureña, catcher Jakson Reetz and infielder Donovan Walton would not be on the team's Opening Day roster.
Those decisions whittled the Mets' roster down a little further and gave a better sense of the players who could find their way in:
With Walton headed to the minor leagues, only Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña remain as options to fill in for Jeff McNeil at second base. McNeil continues to nurse a low-grade oblique strain and has not resumed baseball activities.
Baty continued his torrid spring on Friday afternoon when he belted his third home run and added a double to up his spring slash line to .354/.415/.708. The 25-year-old, who is looking to get back on the major league roster after being leap-frogged by Mark Vientos last season, has scored 11 times and driven in nine runs in Grapefruit League play, while showcasing a strong handle on his adjustment to second base.
Mendoza has also been encouraged by the defensive versatility of Acuña, who has added third base to his repertoire this spring. He has seen some mixed results offensively this spring, posting a .500 OPS, but leading the team with three stolen bases.
"Just continue to be themselves," Mendoza said of Baty and Acuña's quest for a roster spot. "Continue to work on the things they’ve been working on. Continue to have fun. It’s up to us now. Control the things that they need to control which is go out there, prepare, compete, play the game and let it take care of itself."
There remain two question marks in the Mets bullpen as they move toward the first game of the season.
The team continues to take a deliberate approach with Dedniel Nuñez, who is coming back from a right flexor strain injury. The 28-year-old right-hander made his second Grapefruit League appearance on Saturday, allowing a two-run home run but also see his fastball check in around 97 mph on average.
"I think it's day to day," Mendoza said. "Let's wait till he makes that third outing and we'll have a decision there."
Minter, who was continuing to work back from hip surgery, made his fourth spring appearance on Saturday. He threw a perfect seventh inning, striking out one and throwing 10 pitches. He is expected to clear a pivotal hurdle when he pitches for the second time in three days on Monday.
If either Minter or Nuñez are unavailable to start the regular season, opportunities would open up for Max Kranick or Huascar Brazoban to make the team. Mendoza said on Saturday that Reed Garrett, Jose Butto and Danny Young had all been told that they would be included in bullpen for Opening Day.
The Mets' rotation continues to be contested for the final two spots.
Two of those contenders to fill in the open spots due to injuries to Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea were on the mound on Saturday.
Tylor Megill dealt with some hard luck in an otherwise strong outing, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts across innings. Four of those hits were infield singles. Megill's 4.24 ERA in the Grapefruit League is a tad deceptive.
"I thought it went great," Megill said of his spring. "I've been throwing all my pitches for strikes, walk count's been low. I think that's probably the biggest part is just throwing off-speeds for strikes and getting ahead of hitters."
Paul Blackburn threw 82 pitches across five innings in a minor league game Saturday, while Griffin Canning, who struck out nine his last time out, is slated to face the Marlins on Sunday. Canning sports a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings this spring.
With Reetz no longer on the major league roster, Hayden Senger appears to have the inside track toward the backup catching position unless the Mets decide to add a backstop from outside the organization.
Mendoza has said that he prioritizes defense in the decision, which comes as Francisco Alvarez works through a broken left hand. Senger could provide that, along with a familiarity with the team's pitching staff.
Senger provided a flash of an added bonus on Saturday afternoon when he blasted a solo home run off Nationals reliever Chance Huff.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets: Opening Day roster becoming clearer following decisions
Continue reading...
The Mets manager said that certain players will make the flight west from Florida to Houston without completely knowing whether they will be included on the 26-man roster for the first game against the Astros on Thursday.
"We still got three more games here and a lot can happen," Mendoza said prior to Saturday's game. "It’s not an easy situation as a player. It’s part of the business and we were pretty honest with them. They’re gonna get on that plane and we’ll see what we got."
Mendoza did provide a little bit more clarity about the final contenders for a spot when he disclosed that right-handed pitchers Chris Devenski, Genesis Cabrera and Jose Ureña, catcher Jakson Reetz and infielder Donovan Walton would not be on the team's Opening Day roster.
Those decisions whittled the Mets' roster down a little further and gave a better sense of the players who could find their way in:
Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña presenting well
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With Walton headed to the minor leagues, only Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña remain as options to fill in for Jeff McNeil at second base. McNeil continues to nurse a low-grade oblique strain and has not resumed baseball activities.
Baty continued his torrid spring on Friday afternoon when he belted his third home run and added a double to up his spring slash line to .354/.415/.708. The 25-year-old, who is looking to get back on the major league roster after being leap-frogged by Mark Vientos last season, has scored 11 times and driven in nine runs in Grapefruit League play, while showcasing a strong handle on his adjustment to second base.
Mendoza has also been encouraged by the defensive versatility of Acuña, who has added third base to his repertoire this spring. He has seen some mixed results offensively this spring, posting a .500 OPS, but leading the team with three stolen bases.
"Just continue to be themselves," Mendoza said of Baty and Acuña's quest for a roster spot. "Continue to work on the things they’ve been working on. Continue to have fun. It’s up to us now. Control the things that they need to control which is go out there, prepare, compete, play the game and let it take care of itself."
A.J. Minter, Dedniel Nuñez continue to progress
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There remain two question marks in the Mets bullpen as they move toward the first game of the season.
The team continues to take a deliberate approach with Dedniel Nuñez, who is coming back from a right flexor strain injury. The 28-year-old right-hander made his second Grapefruit League appearance on Saturday, allowing a two-run home run but also see his fastball check in around 97 mph on average.
"I think it's day to day," Mendoza said. "Let's wait till he makes that third outing and we'll have a decision there."
Minter, who was continuing to work back from hip surgery, made his fourth spring appearance on Saturday. He threw a perfect seventh inning, striking out one and throwing 10 pitches. He is expected to clear a pivotal hurdle when he pitches for the second time in three days on Monday.
If either Minter or Nuñez are unavailable to start the regular season, opportunities would open up for Max Kranick or Huascar Brazoban to make the team. Mendoza said on Saturday that Reed Garrett, Jose Butto and Danny Young had all been told that they would be included in bullpen for Opening Day.
Tylor Megill strong again in final spring outing
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The Mets' rotation continues to be contested for the final two spots.
Two of those contenders to fill in the open spots due to injuries to Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea were on the mound on Saturday.
Tylor Megill dealt with some hard luck in an otherwise strong outing, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts across innings. Four of those hits were infield singles. Megill's 4.24 ERA in the Grapefruit League is a tad deceptive.
"I thought it went great," Megill said of his spring. "I've been throwing all my pitches for strikes, walk count's been low. I think that's probably the biggest part is just throwing off-speeds for strikes and getting ahead of hitters."
Paul Blackburn threw 82 pitches across five innings in a minor league game Saturday, while Griffin Canning, who struck out nine his last time out, is slated to face the Marlins on Sunday. Canning sports a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings this spring.
Hayden Senger delivers a boost
With Reetz no longer on the major league roster, Hayden Senger appears to have the inside track toward the backup catching position unless the Mets decide to add a backstop from outside the organization.
Mendoza has said that he prioritizes defense in the decision, which comes as Francisco Alvarez works through a broken left hand. Senger could provide that, along with a familiarity with the team's pitching staff.
Senger provided a flash of an added bonus on Saturday afternoon when he blasted a solo home run off Nationals reliever Chance Huff.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets: Opening Day roster becoming clearer following decisions
Continue reading...
