- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 386,580
- Reaction score
- 43
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It's time for the Mets to go to work.
While the lineup appeared to be rounding into form in West Palm Beach on Wednesday and Thursday, Edwin Diaz, Reed Garrett and Ryne Stanek all faced live batters on back-to-back days.
It is less than a week until Opening Day and the heart of the Mets roster continues to see an uptick in workload to prepare for the grind that is about to ensue.
With the Mets' first contest against the Astros rapidly approaching, here is one last projection for the Mets' Opening Day roster:
Summary: Mendoza offered a little bit of a hint at how the Mets' starting rotation would be organized to start the season on Thursday when he offered that Peterson and Senga would remain in Florida to make one additional start after spring camp closes. That pencils in that duo for the opening two games of the team's Miami series.
The major question remains who will grab the final two rotation spots out of Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn. All three figure to factor in the pitching staff in some capacity early in the season, but Canning has been one of the team's most efficient arms in Florida, posting a team-best 16 strikeouts in 10 innings with a 0.90 ERA.
Megill had one rough start, with four earned runs allowed in five innings last time out, but Mendoza felt that he put himself in a position to have success. In his other two starts, he allowed one earned run in 6⅔ innigns.
Blackburn, meanwhile, has been tagged for at least two earned runs in three of his five starts, and could factor in the bullpen.
Summary: There are three conditions that could factor into the Mets' bullpen race down the stretch: injuries, minor league options and the ability to eat innings early on.
As it pertains to injuries, Minter made his third appearance of the spring on Wednesday night, throwing 22 pitches. Mendoza said he would like to see the left-hander, who is working back from August hip surgery, make two appearances in three days. But that amount of work is encouraging with a few games still to play.
The prognosis for Dedniel Nuñez appears a little more cloudy. He has only thrown in one spring game — a scoreless frame — but the Mets appear to be even more cautious with him as he works into playing shape after a season-ending right flexor strain. He could land on the IL and get more work in early in the season.
Beyond the expected contributors in the bullpen, Danny Young does not have any more options, making his presence more likely. The same goes for Blackburn. Max Kranick has been posted one of the best springs among Mets reliever, allowing two earned runs in 11⅓ innings, to help his candidacy for a bullpen spot.
Summary: Francisco Alvarez's broken hand added uncertainty to the Mets' catching situation. Torrens will get the starting spot after earning his backup position after a midseason trade from the Yankees last season.
As for the internal reserve options, Senger and Jakson Reetz are competing over the final week of camp. Mendoza has said that the team will prioritize defense with that spot.
Senger could get the upper hand with his familiarity with the Mets pitching staff after getting drafted by the organization in 2018. He also was a member of the team's taxi squad last postseason.
"Pretty good defensive catcher," Mendoza said Wednesday. "His ability to receive, his ability to control the running game. He can really catch and throw. His ability to communicate with the pitching staff and call a game and the feedback that I'm getting not only from the pitching coaches but the pitching staff, is pretty encouraging."
Summary: Jeff McNeil's low-grade oblique strain opened a hole at second base and provided the Mets to roll with more than one utility infielder.
Baty has been one of the Mets' most productive bats this spring, batting .333 with two home runs, six RBI and eight runs. The 25-year-old has also showcased capable defense on the right side.
"We still haven't finalized the last couple of roster spots. We've still got a few games here and a lot can happen," Mendoza said of Baty's candidacy ahead of Wednesday's game. "He's putting himself in a good position, though."
While Acuña might need more time in Triple-A, he could also see some major league reps with McNeil down to start the season and give the Mets a capable backup shortstop. After Baty and Acuña, Donovan Walton presents a backup infield option.
Summary: There is not much competition in the Mets' outfield, but Nimmo and Marte's health continue to be worth monitoring as the team works toward Opening Day. Both players have dealt with sore knees this spring.
They are trending in the right direction, but Nimmo has yet to play the outfield in back-to-back games. Marte has not had any games in the outfield in the Grapefruit League.
If both players are healthy and ready, Jose Azocar and Alexander Canario would be squeezed out.
The only other question in the Mets outfield is who sees more reps in center field: Siri or Taylor? That could end up being a straight time split based on performance.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets: Projecting the team's 26-man roster before Opening Day
Continue reading...
While the lineup appeared to be rounding into form in West Palm Beach on Wednesday and Thursday, Edwin Diaz, Reed Garrett and Ryne Stanek all faced live batters on back-to-back days.
It is less than a week until Opening Day and the heart of the Mets roster continues to see an uptick in workload to prepare for the grind that is about to ensue.
With the Mets' first contest against the Astros rapidly approaching, here is one last projection for the Mets' Opening Day roster:
Mets rotation (5)
You must be registered for see images attach
- Clay Holmes, RHP
- Griffin Canning, RHP
- Tylor Megill, RHP
- David Peterson, LHP
- Kodai Senga, RHP
Summary: Mendoza offered a little bit of a hint at how the Mets' starting rotation would be organized to start the season on Thursday when he offered that Peterson and Senga would remain in Florida to make one additional start after spring camp closes. That pencils in that duo for the opening two games of the team's Miami series.
The major question remains who will grab the final two rotation spots out of Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn. All three figure to factor in the pitching staff in some capacity early in the season, but Canning has been one of the team's most efficient arms in Florida, posting a team-best 16 strikeouts in 10 innings with a 0.90 ERA.
Megill had one rough start, with four earned runs allowed in five innings last time out, but Mendoza felt that he put himself in a position to have success. In his other two starts, he allowed one earned run in 6⅔ innigns.
Blackburn, meanwhile, has been tagged for at least two earned runs in three of his five starts, and could factor in the bullpen.
Mets bullpen (8)
You must be registered for see images attach
- Edwin Diaz, RHP
- Ryne Stanek, RHP
- A.J. Minter, LHP
- Reed Garrett, RHP
- José Buttó, RHP
- Danny Young, LHP
- Max Kranick, RHP
- Paul Blackburn, RHP
Summary: There are three conditions that could factor into the Mets' bullpen race down the stretch: injuries, minor league options and the ability to eat innings early on.
As it pertains to injuries, Minter made his third appearance of the spring on Wednesday night, throwing 22 pitches. Mendoza said he would like to see the left-hander, who is working back from August hip surgery, make two appearances in three days. But that amount of work is encouraging with a few games still to play.
The prognosis for Dedniel Nuñez appears a little more cloudy. He has only thrown in one spring game — a scoreless frame — but the Mets appear to be even more cautious with him as he works into playing shape after a season-ending right flexor strain. He could land on the IL and get more work in early in the season.
Beyond the expected contributors in the bullpen, Danny Young does not have any more options, making his presence more likely. The same goes for Blackburn. Max Kranick has been posted one of the best springs among Mets reliever, allowing two earned runs in 11⅓ innings, to help his candidacy for a bullpen spot.
Mets catchers (2)
You must be registered for see images
- Luis Torrens
- Hayden Senger
Summary: Francisco Alvarez's broken hand added uncertainty to the Mets' catching situation. Torrens will get the starting spot after earning his backup position after a midseason trade from the Yankees last season.
As for the internal reserve options, Senger and Jakson Reetz are competing over the final week of camp. Mendoza has said that the team will prioritize defense with that spot.
Senger could get the upper hand with his familiarity with the Mets pitching staff after getting drafted by the organization in 2018. He also was a member of the team's taxi squad last postseason.
"Pretty good defensive catcher," Mendoza said Wednesday. "His ability to receive, his ability to control the running game. He can really catch and throw. His ability to communicate with the pitching staff and call a game and the feedback that I'm getting not only from the pitching coaches but the pitching staff, is pretty encouraging."
Mets infielders (5)
You must be registered for see images attach
- Pete Alonso
- Brett Baty
- Francisco Lindor
- Mark Vientos
- Luisangel Acuña
Summary: Jeff McNeil's low-grade oblique strain opened a hole at second base and provided the Mets to roll with more than one utility infielder.
Baty has been one of the Mets' most productive bats this spring, batting .333 with two home runs, six RBI and eight runs. The 25-year-old has also showcased capable defense on the right side.
"We still haven't finalized the last couple of roster spots. We've still got a few games here and a lot can happen," Mendoza said of Baty's candidacy ahead of Wednesday's game. "He's putting himself in a good position, though."
While Acuña might need more time in Triple-A, he could also see some major league reps with McNeil down to start the season and give the Mets a capable backup shortstop. After Baty and Acuña, Donovan Walton presents a backup infield option.
Mets outfielders/designated hitters (6)
You must be registered for see images
- Juan Soto
- Brandon Nimmo
- Jose Siri
- Tyrone Taylor
- Jesse Winker
- Starling Marte
Summary: There is not much competition in the Mets' outfield, but Nimmo and Marte's health continue to be worth monitoring as the team works toward Opening Day. Both players have dealt with sore knees this spring.
They are trending in the right direction, but Nimmo has yet to play the outfield in back-to-back games. Marte has not had any games in the outfield in the Grapefruit League.
If both players are healthy and ready, Jose Azocar and Alexander Canario would be squeezed out.
The only other question in the Mets outfield is who sees more reps in center field: Siri or Taylor? That could end up being a straight time split based on performance.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets: Projecting the team's 26-man roster before Opening Day
Continue reading...
