JUPITER, Fla. — Whereas a lot of the Mets‘ regulars are either playing in Grapefruit League games or gearing up to start next week, a few notable members of the big league roster will get more work on the backfields before starting spring training games.
Brandon Nimmo is aiming to start playing at some point next week. The outfielder, who has been battling plantar fasciitis since last May, said he’s at 94%, up from 91 just a few days earlier than the Mets’ first full-squad exercise. There have been no setbacks in camp so far, and Nimmo is ready to run the bases, swing the bat and take fly balls.
Supervisor Carlos Mendoza mentioned Nimmo is “on track” to begin working into video games subsequent week.
Nonetheless, Starling Marte will want extra backfield work earlier than moving into the lineup in a Grapefruit Recreation. Whereas the outfielder/DH has not has any setbacks with the identical knee that landed him on the injured listing final summer time, it seems as if the Mets nonetheless have some issues.
“He’s doing baseball activities, but not so much in games,” Mendoza mentioned Wednesday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Marte has been taking at-bats and operating the bases with out setbacks, however the Mets are nonetheless slow-playing his development in the meanwhile to ensure he stays wholesome.
“Some good days and not so good,” Mendoza sasid. “Still finding that balance when it’s too much, when we need to pull back. But he hasn’t stopped doing any baseball activity. He’s just more like the running progression. So he’s still going through that.”
Infield prospect Ronny Mauricio can be going by way of a operating development as properly. The Mets plan to begin utilizing him in video games across the center of March, however that is determined by how his knee holds up in these subsequent few weeks. After greater than a 12 months faraway from baseball, it’s robust for the Mets to know what they will get from Mauricio this season.
Nonetheless, he’s younger sufficient that he ought to be capable of bounce again and proceed his growth. Mauricio can be 23 in April and has already been hitting huge dwelling runs in batting follow this spring, exhibiting that the ability he will get from his legs remains to be there.
“He needs to be healthy,” Mendoza mentioned. “We don’t want to rush him, and we told him that. I think that’s where he starts — with health. So that’s what I want to see on the field. We know the tools, we know he’s talented, but it starts with him being on the field and being available.”
QUICK HITTERS
– Pete Alonso went 1-for-2 with an RBI double and a stroll Wednesday in opposition to the Miami Marlins. Jeff McNeil went 1-for-3 with a double within the Mets’ 4-1 Grapefruit League loss.
– Luisangel Acuña noticed sport motion at third base for the primary time in Wednesday’s sport. The infield prospect was solely on the sizzling nook for 3 innings and noticed just one ball his method, making a putout within the seventh inning. The Mets will proceed to work him in at third base, in addition to at second and shortstop, the place he has primarily performed as an expert.
– Left-hander Genesis Cabrera confirmed a brand new cutter Wednesday, utilizing it to place away two hitters. A 28-year-old reliever who has loads of huge league expertise, Cabrera’s cutter appears to be like like a slider however performs like a cutter. Pitching coaches Jeremy Hefner and Desi Druschel have been working with Cabrera this spring to develop a pitch that may complement his fastball. A tough-throwing lefty, Cabrera is in camp on a minor league contract to compete for a spot within the bullpen.
