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The Mets have begun the process of sending players to the minor leagues, but there is still a long way to go.
After four players were optioned and another reassigned to Triple A, the Mets still have 63 players left in big league camp. That number will need to be parsed down by another 47 members in less than two weeks.
It is a big task for the club's front office, but president of baseball operations David Stearns said this week that there are only a few questions left to answer before Opening Day: Who will occupy right field, the bullpen and bench?
While the Mets have had a relatively healthy camp, a few injuries have forced some longshot candidates to the sidelines.
With Opening Day approaching, and a matchup against Paul Skenes and the Pirates, here is how we see the Mets' 26-man roster:
Injury notes: RHPs Tylor Megill (elbow), Brandon Waddell (shoulder)
In the conversation: RHPs Jonah Tong, Christian Scott
Longshot candidates: RHP Justin Hagenman
Summary: Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Clay Holmes would return from the World Baseball Classic after making one appearance for the United States because the national team could not guarantee his workload would continue. That came despite Holmes throwing three scoreless innings with six strikeouts in his first outing and in spite of Tarik Skubal's return to Tigers camp.
Nolan McLean remained with Team USA despite suffering the loss against Italy on Tuesday when he allowed three earned runs on a pair of home runs in three innings of work.
Sean Manaea had a shaky outing against the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in 2⅔ innings. The left-hander's velocity remained down and continues to be worth monitoring.
Injury notes: LHP A.J. Minter (lat), RHPs Reed Garrett (elbow), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Robert Stock (shoulder)
In the conversation: RHPs Craig Kimbrel, Austin Warren, LHP Joe Jacques
Longshot candidates: RHPs Carl Edwards Jr. (NRI), Adbert Alzolay, Ryan Lambert
Summary: With five spots in the bullpen seemingly locked up as the Mets approach Opening Day, the competition is fierce for the final two roles.
Huascar Brazoban has one minor league option remaining but has been a revelation this spring. He's tossed three scoreless innings with five strikeouts in Grapefruit League play and 2⅔ scoreless frames with four strikeouts for the Dominican Republic in the WBC.
Bryan Hudson, one of two left-handed options behind Brooks Raley, gave up a home run in his first outing and followed it up with a scoreless frame. Craig Kimbrel has issued four walks, and hit a pair of batters in four innings, but managed to limit opponents to one earned run and has struck out five.
The first major injury to the Mets' pitching staff came when it was revealed that Robert Stock would need surgery to repair thoracic outlet syndrome in his right shoulder after throwing three innings for Israel in the WBC. Stock was a down-roster option as an innings-eater out of the bullpen.
Injury notes: Francisco Lindor (hand), Grae Kessinger (knee)
In the conversation: Ronny Mauricio
Longshot candidates: Jared Young, Jackson Cluff (NRI), Christian Arroyo (NRI)
Summary: Francisco Lindor continues to progress in his recovery from left hand surgery. The Mets shortstop has played the position in minor league games this week but is still ramping up in his hitting progression. He has yet to take live batting practice.
Stearns said Lindor will need to play in games before he steps into the lineup on Opening Day.
Jorge Polanco had a productive week of Grapefruit League play, making four starts at first base. He homered from each side of the plate in back-to-back games against the Cardinals.
In the conversation: Mike Tauchman (NRI), MJ Melendez
Longshot candidates: Cristian Pache (NRI)
Summary: The Mets have been deliberate with Luis Robert Jr.'s preparation this spring after he suffered a hamstring injury in 2025 and hip injury in 2024 that factored in him missing a combined 114 games. The newly-acquired center fielder made his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday afternoon.
Carson Benge continues to strengthen his case to be included on the Mets' Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old collected five hits, including a triple, four RBI and two runs in three games over the last week. He's now 9-for-23 in his first major league spring action.
Elsewhere, Juan Soto helped the Dominican Republic advance to the quarterfinals at the WBC with two home runs, four RBI, four runs and five walks in four games.
In the conversation: Hayden Senger
Longshot candidates: Ben Rortvedt, Austin Barnes (NRI)
Summary: Since the Mets slow-played Francisco Alvarez's start to Grapefruit League action following a run of attrition in the last two seasons, the starting catcher has been one of the team's hottest hitters this spring.
In six games, Alvarez is 6-for-14 with one home run, double two RBI and two runs. He has had three multi-hit games in the last week.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets roster projections for Opening Day 2026
Continue reading...
After four players were optioned and another reassigned to Triple A, the Mets still have 63 players left in big league camp. That number will need to be parsed down by another 47 members in less than two weeks.
It is a big task for the club's front office, but president of baseball operations David Stearns said this week that there are only a few questions left to answer before Opening Day: Who will occupy right field, the bullpen and bench?
While the Mets have had a relatively healthy camp, a few injuries have forced some longshot candidates to the sidelines.
With Opening Day approaching, and a matchup against Paul Skenes and the Pirates, here is how we see the Mets' 26-man roster:
Mets starting pitchers (6)
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- Freddy Peralta, RHP
- Nolan McLean, RHP
- David Peterson, LHP
- Clay Holmes, RHP
- Kodai Senga, RHP
- Sean Manaea, LHP
Injury notes: RHPs Tylor Megill (elbow), Brandon Waddell (shoulder)
In the conversation: RHPs Jonah Tong, Christian Scott
Longshot candidates: RHP Justin Hagenman
Summary: Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Clay Holmes would return from the World Baseball Classic after making one appearance for the United States because the national team could not guarantee his workload would continue. That came despite Holmes throwing three scoreless innings with six strikeouts in his first outing and in spite of Tarik Skubal's return to Tigers camp.
Nolan McLean remained with Team USA despite suffering the loss against Italy on Tuesday when he allowed three earned runs on a pair of home runs in three innings of work.
Sean Manaea had a shaky outing against the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in 2⅔ innings. The left-hander's velocity remained down and continues to be worth monitoring.
Mets relief pitchers (7)
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- Devin Williams, RHP
- Luke Weaver, RHP
- Brooks Raley, LHP
- Tobias Myers, RHP
- Luis Garcia, RHP
- Bryan Hudson, LHP
- Huascar Brazoban, RHP
Injury notes: LHP A.J. Minter (lat), RHPs Reed Garrett (elbow), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Robert Stock (shoulder)
In the conversation: RHPs Craig Kimbrel, Austin Warren, LHP Joe Jacques
Longshot candidates: RHPs Carl Edwards Jr. (NRI), Adbert Alzolay, Ryan Lambert
Summary: With five spots in the bullpen seemingly locked up as the Mets approach Opening Day, the competition is fierce for the final two roles.
Huascar Brazoban has one minor league option remaining but has been a revelation this spring. He's tossed three scoreless innings with five strikeouts in Grapefruit League play and 2⅔ scoreless frames with four strikeouts for the Dominican Republic in the WBC.
Bryan Hudson, one of two left-handed options behind Brooks Raley, gave up a home run in his first outing and followed it up with a scoreless frame. Craig Kimbrel has issued four walks, and hit a pair of batters in four innings, but managed to limit opponents to one earned run and has struck out five.
The first major injury to the Mets' pitching staff came when it was revealed that Robert Stock would need surgery to repair thoracic outlet syndrome in his right shoulder after throwing three innings for Israel in the WBC. Stock was a down-roster option as an innings-eater out of the bullpen.
Mets infielders (7)
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- Jorge Polanco
- Marcus Semien
- Francisco Lindor
- Bo Bichette
- Brett Baty
- Mark Vientos
- Vidal Brujan
Injury notes: Francisco Lindor (hand), Grae Kessinger (knee)
In the conversation: Ronny Mauricio
Longshot candidates: Jared Young, Jackson Cluff (NRI), Christian Arroyo (NRI)
Summary: Francisco Lindor continues to progress in his recovery from left hand surgery. The Mets shortstop has played the position in minor league games this week but is still ramping up in his hitting progression. He has yet to take live batting practice.
Stearns said Lindor will need to play in games before he steps into the lineup on Opening Day.
Jorge Polanco had a productive week of Grapefruit League play, making four starts at first base. He homered from each side of the plate in back-to-back games against the Cardinals.
Mets outfielders (4)
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- Juan Soto
- Luis Robert Jr.
- Tyrone Taylor
- Carson Benge
In the conversation: Mike Tauchman (NRI), MJ Melendez
Longshot candidates: Cristian Pache (NRI)
Summary: The Mets have been deliberate with Luis Robert Jr.'s preparation this spring after he suffered a hamstring injury in 2025 and hip injury in 2024 that factored in him missing a combined 114 games. The newly-acquired center fielder made his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday afternoon.
Carson Benge continues to strengthen his case to be included on the Mets' Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old collected five hits, including a triple, four RBI and two runs in three games over the last week. He's now 9-for-23 in his first major league spring action.
Elsewhere, Juan Soto helped the Dominican Republic advance to the quarterfinals at the WBC with two home runs, four RBI, four runs and five walks in four games.
Mets catchers (2)
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- Francisco Alvarez
- Luis Torrens
In the conversation: Hayden Senger
Longshot candidates: Ben Rortvedt, Austin Barnes (NRI)
Summary: Since the Mets slow-played Francisco Alvarez's start to Grapefruit League action following a run of attrition in the last two seasons, the starting catcher has been one of the team's hottest hitters this spring.
In six games, Alvarez is 6-for-14 with one home run, double two RBI and two runs. He has had three multi-hit games in the last week.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets roster projections for Opening Day 2026
Continue reading...
