Mets’ offseason deals Beau Bichette Third baseman replaced Brett BattyAccording to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, he will now assume a super utility role for Queens. Baty is expected to play outfield and first base this spring. Experience at the hot corner and second base makes him a viable option at both positions. Marcus Semien You may need to take a short break or visit the casualty list at any time.
“This is a valuable role,” coach Carlos Mendoza told DiComo. “We’ve been pretty up front with him. He’s on board. There will be at-bats for him in a variety of positions. He’s been able to play third, second, first and now he’s playing outfield.”
Baty may not have a set position, but his breakout year in 2025 will put him in good position to play in the lineup often. The former first-round pick and top prospect shook off last season’s terrible start and finished the year with a solid .254/.313/.435 batting line (111 wRC+) and 18 home runs. From mid-May through the end of the season (370 plate appearances), Barty hit .266/.327/.454 with 17 of 18 long balls.
Elsewhere in Mets camp, the team still holds out hope for its star shortstop. Francisco Lindorwho suffered a fractured left skull early in camp, won’t miss much time, even if he does miss some. Lindor took batting practice for the first time since the injury yesterday, and felt well enough afterward to tell Jon Heyman of the New York Post that he was confident he had a chance of making the Opening Day roster.
“100%, I think I can make it to opening day.” Lindor said. “…we are checking things along the way.”
Lindor’s injury was first reported on February 10th. A day later, the Mets confirmed he would undergo surgery to correct the problem. The team originally expected a six-week recovery period, and Lindor’s surgery occurred 43 days before Opening Day. In addition to batting practice, Lindor also started playing catch this week and has not shown any side effects yet.
The recovery period for a hamate fracture tends to be about 4 weeks in the short term and 8 weeks in the long term. Based on how things are going, there appears to be cautious optimism among Mets fans that the five-time All-Star and 2024 National League MVP runner-up will be in the lineup as their new ace. Freddie Peralta And the Mets host the Pirates in a presumptive Opening Day starter. Paul Skennes March 26th.
The Mets’ pitching staff is also experiencing some injuries. Former top prospect Christian ScottThis week against Team Israel’s WBC team, 17 months removed from 2024 Tommy John surgery that derailed his 2025 season, he clocked 96 mph and threw 48 pitches over 2 2/3 frames. Mendoza told the Post’s Dan Martin that the outing was “impressive, especially touting the right-hander’s command in his undisturbed return to the mound.”
Scott, now 26 years old, debuted in the big leagues in 2024 and experienced major league action for the first time, posting a 4.56 ERA with a strikeout rate of 19.8% and a walk rate of 6.1%. He previously pitched 42 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level, posting a 2.76 ERA, 33.5% strikeout rate and 7.3% walk rate. There is no room for Peralta in the Mets rotation. nolan mclean, David Peterson, clay holmes, Senga Kodai and Sean Manea They may all be in the fold, but Scott will be a pivotal depth arm and one of the first names called if the Mets face health issues with their big league staff.
left-handed relief pitcher AJ MinterHis 2025 season was shut down due to abdominal surgery in May, Martin added, and he pitched in a minor league game out of the backfield this week. This is Minter’s first return to a gaming environment since surgery last year. There had previously been hints that Minter could return at some point in May, but Mendoza has revealed to Martin that a return is likely at the end of April.
Minter got off to a great start last winter, signing a two-year, $22 million contract with the Mets. In 11 innings, he allowed 2 runs (ERA 1.64) with 6 hits, 5 walks, and 14 punches. The 32-year-old left-hander has had injury issues over the years, but he posted a sharp 2.80 ERA with a 30% strikeout rate and 8% walk rate in 254 innings between the Braves and Mets from 2020-25.
On another Mets-related note, The Athletic’s Tim Britton provides an update on invitees who weren’t included on the roster. robert stock. The right-hander recently participated in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) with Israel’s national team, but suffered from shoulder pain. He left the WBC and is going for an MRI.
