Mets Face Roster Decisions Amid Injuries and Veteran Uncertainty
In Jupiter, Florida, the Mets find themselves navigating a tricky spring as they deal with injuries and roster decisions. Manager Carlos Mendoza has confirmed that outfielder Mike Tauchman will be sidelined for a while after an MRI revealed a torn left meniscus, necessitating surgery. Tauchman, at 35, was vying for the rightfield spot alongside top prospect Carson Benge.
This setback appears to clear a path for Benge, but Mendoza remains cautious about making any definitive roster decisions. "We haven't made any decisions yet," Mendoza emphasized.
"Tauchman was in the mix, but we've got strong options. Injuries are part of the game, and while it’s tough for him and the team, we’re still confident in our roster."
Tauchman, who batted .241/.371/.448 with a homer and six RBIs over 13 spring games, began feeling discomfort on Saturday. Attempting to take his position against the Astros, he pulled up short, signaling to trainers that something was amiss.
As for Benge, the 23-year-old has impressed with a .368/.442/.447 slash line and a team-leading 14 hits in 13 games. Despite the competition, Benge expressed admiration for Tauchman, noting he had "learned quite a bit" from the veteran.
Mendoza praised Benge’s maturity and adaptability, highlighting his "at-bat quality" and defensive engagement. "He's been pretty impressive," Mendoza noted, pointing to Benge's ability to adjust against both lefties and righties.
In other roster news, nine-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel was informed he won’t make the Opening Day roster. The 37-year-old righthander, however, might remain with the organization, potentially staying in Florida for extended spring training.
"He likes it here and wants to win," Mendoza said, noting Kimbrel's willingness to wait for the right opportunity. "That speaks volumes about him as a competitor and person."
The Mets are weighing their options for the final bullpen spot, with lefthanders Richard Lovelady and Bryan Hudson in contention. Mendoza mentioned the need for pitchers capable of handling multiple innings, a role the team feels Lovelady and Hudson can fill, though Kimbrel isn’t quite there yet.
The bullpen mix currently includes righthanders Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Luis Garcia, Huascar Brazoban, Tobias Myers, and lefthander Brooks Raley, with Sean Manaea starting the season in a piggyback role.
Kimbrel, who had an opt-out option over the weekend, showed a slight uptick in velocity, averaging 92.8 mph on his fastball recently. Over six spring innings, he allowed three earned runs, four hits, and tallied five strikeouts with five walks. Despite the setback, Kimbrel remains optimistic about his readiness for the season.
Mendoza acknowledged Kimbrel’s impact during camp, describing him as a "total pro" and highlighting the value of having a potential Hall of Famer around. "Delivering news like this isn’t easy, but his consideration to stay shows what we’re building here," Mendoza concluded.