The Mets have made some key moves as they trimmed their spring training roster, sending infielder Ronny Mauricio and right-hander Joey Gerber to Triple-A Syracuse. Additionally, pitchers Mike Baumann and Brandon Waddell have been reassigned to the minor league camp. These decisions aren't exactly unexpected, especially with Francisco Lindor set to reclaim his spot as the Mets’ Opening Day shortstop.
Ronny Mauricio, who had a stint in the majors last year, struggled to find his groove, posting a .226/.293/.369 slash line with an 88 wRC+. After missing all of 2024 due to a knee injury, Mauricio made an impressive comeback, climbing the ranks from St.
Lucie to Binghamton and Syracuse. His brief but explosive performance in Triple-A, where he hit .515/.564/.818, earned him a shot with the Mets.
However, inconsistent playing time hampered his performance. Starting the 2026 season with regular at-bats in Triple-A seems like the right call for his development.
Joey Gerber, who spent last season with the Rays, primarily pitched in Triple-A, where he posted a 6.09 ERA and a 4.94 FIP. Despite these numbers, his limited major league appearances showed promise, suggesting potential for improvement.
Mike Baumann is on a quest to return to MLB after a diverse career path that included playing for five teams in 2024 and a stint in Japan last year. With a career 4.95 ERA and a 4.59 FIP over 167.1 innings, Baumann is looking to reestablish himself in the big leagues.
Brandon Waddell, meanwhile, showed more promise in his major league appearances than he did in Syracuse. Last season, he recorded a 3.45 ERA and a 4.54 FIP over 31.1 innings with the Mets, following a three-year run in Korea. His performance in the majors last year highlights his potential value to the team moving forward.
These roster adjustments reflect the Mets' strategic focus on player development and readiness as they gear up for the upcoming season.