Spring Notes from the Mets and Around the League: Injuries, Position Changes, and Familiar Faces in New Places
As spring training creeps closer, the Mets' offseason storylines are starting to take shape-with a mix of intriguing development arcs, injury concerns, and roster maneuvering that could have ripple effects into Opening Day.
Let’s start with Christian Scott, one of the Mets' more intriguing young arms. This offseason, he trained at the same facility as Max Scherzer.
And yes, Scherzer is still bringing that signature intensity, even in the winter. For a young pitcher like Scott, working alongside a future Hall of Famer with that kind of edge is the kind of experience that could pay dividends down the line.
Meanwhile, Juan Soto is preparing for a shift-literally. The superstar slugger will be moving to left field this season.
It’s a positional change that could impact both his defensive metrics and how the team configures its outfield. Soto’s bat is never in question, but how he adjusts to a new spot on the grass will be worth watching early in the year.
Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ cornerstone at shortstop, is dealing with a hamate bone injury. That’s not great news.
If surgery is required, the recovery timeline is about six weeks, which puts his availability for Opening Day in serious doubt. The Mets can’t afford to lose his presence-on the field or in the clubhouse-for long.
This could be one of the most important injury watches of the spring.
Catcher Hayden Senger made an interesting offseason decision-he left his winter job at Whole Foods to play winter ball instead. It’s a reminder that for many players on the fringe of the big leagues, the path is anything but linear. Senger’s choice to focus fully on baseball could give him a leg up as he tries to carve out a bigger role in the organization.
The Mets also made a move to bolster their bullpen, acquiring left-handed reliever Bryan Hudson from the White Sox for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, they placed Reed Garrett on the 60-day injured list. Hudson adds another lefty option to the pen, and while he’s not a household name, he could be part of the depth puzzle that every contender needs.
As for A.J. Minter, the timeline for his return is currently pegged for early May. That gives the Mets some clarity on when they might expect the veteran lefty to be back in the mix.
Across the league, MLB’s prospect writers have been busy projecting which top-20 prospects are likely to break camp with their big league clubs. While the Mets have some names in that mix, the broader takeaway is that Opening Day rosters are going to be filled with more youth than ever-and the decisions made in March could shape entire seasons.
NL East Check-In: Braves Shuffle the Deck
The Braves have been active as well, signing catcher Johan Heim to a major league deal worth $1.25 million. With Sean Murphy expected to start the season on the injured list, Heim will likely serve as the backup behind the plate-adding some stability to a key position.
Atlanta also placed Spencer Schwellenbach on the 60-day IL due to bone spurs in his right elbow, a setback for a promising young arm. In another roster shuffle, the Braves re-acquired infielder Brett Wisely in a trade with the Rays-a player they had previously dealt away just last month. To make room, they moved pitcher Joe Jiménez to the 60-day injured list.
Around the Majors: Return Trips and Changing Definitions
Justin Verlander is heading back to where it all began. The veteran right-hander has signed a one-year deal with the Tigers, bringing his career full circle. It’s a homecoming that adds a layer of nostalgia to Detroit’s season-and gives the Tigers a proven presence atop their rotation.
Aaron Civale has found a new home with the Athletics, adding a steady arm to a team that’s in the middle of a long rebuild. And Kyle Wright-the last pitcher to notch a 20-win season-has signed a minor league deal with the Cubs, complete with a spring training invite. If he can rediscover his form, that could be a sneaky-good pickup for Chicago.
Former Met José Quintana is also on the move, signing a one-year deal with the Rockies. This marks his 15th season in the big leagues, and he’ll bring veteran experience to a Colorado staff that could use it.
Elsewhere, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has opened up about one of the most talked-about plays from last year’s World Series, offering his perspective on a moment that still has fans debating what went wrong-and who was to blame.
And in a broader view of the game, Jayson Stark took a look at how the Hall of Fame bar for pitchers is about to shift. With fewer traditional workhorses in today’s game, the criteria for Cooperstown is evolving. It’s a fascinating conversation that’s only going to grow louder in the coming years.
Finally, MLB has released its annual primer on how to watch games on MLB.tv this season-a must-read for fans looking to follow their teams from anywhere.
Back in Queens, the Amazin’ Avenue prospect team has weighed in with their top ten rankings, offering insights on the next wave of Mets talent. With so many moving pieces and injuries already in play, those names could become relevant sooner than expected.
The offseason may be winding down, but the storylines are just heating up. Opening Day is around the corner-and for the Mets and the rest of MLB, the next few weeks will go a long way in setting the tone for 2026.