PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24, 2026: George Kirby #68 of the Seattle Mariners throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
We are down to the closest representations of real regular season baseball that Spring Training has to offer. In a televised night game, Seattle is running out a largely-accurate lineup for their big league club, with their starters likely to go as long as possible and George Kirby making his final tune-up start before the season begins.
Seattle gets to face a batch of big leaguers, but decidedly the B-team for the Cubbies. On the hill at least will be Colin Rea, a starter for Chicago’s main rotation who should provide a proper test against the M’s top lineup.
Roster Moves:
The Mariners optioned OF Rhylan Thomas to Triple-A Tacoma formally before today’s game, and functionally did the same with INF Colt Emerson. The latter move is at least a minor surprise, with J.P. Crawford still not entirely shipshape. Seattle had the option to see Emerson showcase his position while Crawford returned to health. Instead, Cole Young will get additional play, with the club’s approach seeming to be that of Young for shortstop, and a possible Ryan Bliss/Leo Rivas/Miles Mastrobuoni combination to take 2B reps until Crawford can return.
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 7: Ethan Salas #90 of the San Diego Padres stands on deck during a Spring Training game against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark on March 7, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres Prospects at Chicago Cubs Prospects, March 21, 2026, 6:05 p.m. PST
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Jarred Kelenic #24 of the Chicago White Sox swings during the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The downward slide continues for former top MLB prospect Jarred Kelenic.
Kelenic, who signed a minor league deal with the White Sox in December, was informed by the team on Friday that he would not be a part of the Opening Day roster, according to multiple reports.
The 26-year-old will remain in big league camp until Spring Training concludes, but will not be a part of the team’s 26-man roster.
Jarred Kelenic of the Chicago White Sox swings during the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Getty Images
This decision from the White Sox comes after the outfielder posted an abysmal Spring Training slash line of .179/.273/.359, which included striking out 12 times in 39 at-bats in 14 games.
Kelenic, who was selected by the Mets with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, was widely considered one of the league’s top talents during his early days in the minor leagues.
After spending less than one full season in the Mets’ organization, Kelenic was a part of the blockbuster trade for the Mets to acquire star closer Edwin Diaz and veteran second baseman Robinson Cano from the Mariners during the 2018 offseason.
Since being called up to the big leagues during the 2021 season, Kelenic has massively underperformed expectations, batting just .211 through 407 games across parts of five seasons.
Seattle Mariners’ Jarred Kelenic reacts after grounding out against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Seattle. AP
Kelenic was with the Braves last season, hitting .167 and striking out 23 times in 60 at-bats.
GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 16: Brody Brecht #74 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch on Sunday, March 16, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As spring training winds down, the third annual MLB Spring Breakout is kicking off, featuring 16 matchups between rosters loaded with baseball’s up-and-coming stars. The Colorado Rockies’ prospects get their turn in a Saturday evening matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Rockies announced their 2026 roster earlier in the week. Among the group are familiar faces like Cole Carrigg (no. 4 PurP) and Zac Veen (no. 9 PuRP). Carrigg makes his third straight Spring Breakout appearance, while Veen rejoins the roster after being included in 2024 but not 2025 when he was busy battling for a spot on the Major League roster. The two headliners drumming up the most excitement, locally and nationally, are Charlie Condon (no. 1 PuRP) and Ethan Holliday (no. 2 PuRP).
As for today’s pitching matchup, one of the last around the league in the current format before the league moves to a tournament in 2027, RHP Brody Brecht will kick things off against RHP Patrick Forbes, before the teams work through their stable of pitchers.
Brecht (No. 3 PuRP) was drafted 38th-overall by the Rockies in the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Iowa. He started 2025 in the ACL but was promoted to Low-A Fresno after just four games. In 16 games with the Grizzlies, he went 1-4 with a 2.60 ERA over 55.1 innings while giving up just two home runs. Some of that was due to a back injury that sidelined him twice — once in May and once in July — but he finished strong.
Brecht will face Dbacks’ right-hander Patrick Forbes. Forbes (MLB Pipeline #9) was drafted 29th overall in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Louisville.
First Pitch: 5:10 p.m. MDT
TV: MLB.com, MLB Network, MLB.TV, Rockies.TV
Radio: None
Lineups:
Look at these prospects 🤩
Our Spring Breakout Game will start 30 minutes following the completion of Arizona vs. Texas. pic.twitter.com/RE1t4H1cnV
SATURDAY CUBS ROSTER MOVES: The Cubs returned BJ Murray Jr., Jefferson Rojas and Jeff Brigham to minor league camp. The current camp roster has 41 players, comprised of 22 pitchers (four non-roster invitees), four catchers (one non-roster invitee), eight infielders (two non-roster invitees) and seven outfielders (three non-roster invitees).
TODAY’S TIME SCHEDULE: The Spring Breakout game at Sloan Park begins at 8:05 CT and the Cubs vs. Mariners game at Peoria begins at 8:10 p.m. CT.
Please visit our SB Nation Mariners site Lookout Landing and Padres site Gaslamp Ball. If you do go there to interact with Mariners or Padres fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
As we have done in the past, we’ll have a first pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time. For today, that will be 8 p.m. CT and 9:35 p.m. CT.
These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked ”Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher photos and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
A disastrous first inning did the Huskies (10-12) in on Friday night against San Jose State, as their evening was over before it really even started. The Spartans’ eight first-inning runs were more than UConn scored the entire game, as the Huskies were mercy ruled by the Spartans in seven innings, 16-6.
Husky starter Charlie West took a beating over two innings of work. He was removed without recording an out in the third inning, in which the Spartans put up another six runs. In total, the left-hander surrendered 12 runs (seven earned) on three home runs and three doubles on 10 hits. The junior’s ERA ballooned from 4.97 to 6.91.
Despite scoring just one run after the third inning, the Spartan offense was relentless in the early going.
After two of their first three batters reached base, Jake McCoy, who had walked it off earlier in the day in the team’s 3-2 extra innings win over San Diego State, slapped one over the left field fence. UConn outfielder Chase Taylor turned his back and waited for a ricochet off the wall that never came, as McCoy put three runs on the board.
Three out of the next four batters again reached, one on an error as the Huskies’ defense did the struggling West no favors. That round of runners culminated in a pair of RBI hits: a Neil Jansen double as part of a 3-for-3 game and an Alex Fernandes single up the middle. After an RBI base hit from Peyton Rowles, the Huskies were facing a seven-run deficit.
The Huskies made it a ball game again at the top of the second. Along with a Jackson Marshall RBI double from an inning earlier, UConn took advantage of RBI singles from Peyton Jemison and Tyler Minick, and a run-scoring groundout from Rob Rispoli to cut the Spartan lead to four.
That wouldn’t last long. The first Spartan batter in the bottom of the frame, JC Osorio-Agard, sent a big fly of his own over the fence in left field. An inning later, a Fernandes home run to center field, just right of the batter’s eye, made it an 11-4 ballgame. Run scoring hits from Brent Cota (two runs), Alan Ramirez, and Jansen left the Spartans up by more than 10 runs.
With their grave officially dug, the Huskies tried to climb out just a bit in the sixth inning. After a Nater Wachter single and a double from Evan Menzel that advanced the runner to third, Chase Taylor swatted a sac fly to left to make it 15-5.
The Huskies nearly avoided the mercy rule in the seventh inning, as Chris Polemeni continued his hot season with a homer to left center to bring the deficit back into the single digits.
The Spartans were seemingly set on going home early after their long day at the office, however. For the second time of the day, San Jose St. walked it off, this time under slightly different circumstances. Dylan Jackson sent the final pitch of the game deep to left field and over the fence to end it at 16-6.
The Huskies will look to get a little revenge tomorrow as they get another chance at San Jose State (9-12) later. For now, they’ll shift their focus to San Diego State (11-11), who they play today at 3 p.m. EST.
PHOENIX –– The most boring camp in baseball is over.
On Saturday, the Dodgers packed up their Camelback Ranch clubhouse into cardboard boxes, portable storage crates and moving vans bound for Los Angeles, departing Arizona after six largely unremarkable weeks of spring training.
Indeed, the Dodgers return home in about as strong a shape as they could have possibly hoped ahead of their World Series three-peat bid.
Roki Sasaki struggled during Cactus League play. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
They encountered only one unexpected injury this spring, when Gavin Stone suffered a setback in his surgically repaired shoulder. They got all five of their World Baseball Classic participants back from the tournament unscathed. They have only one roster spot left up for grabs, with Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland waiting to learn who earned the final bench spot to begin the season.
Most importantly, the team largely played well, too, posting a Cactus League-best 19-8-1 record after a 5-5 tie against the Athletics on Saturday.
However, some lingering questions remain ahead of Opening Day on Thursday. Even six long weeks of spring haven’t brought total clarity to the state of the team yet.
Here are the three most pressing, as the regular season nears:
Rotation depth
The top of the Dodgers’ rotation looks dominant. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start on Opening Day after an impressive WBC showing. Tyler Glasnow became a spring standout with his improved mentality and delivery. Even Shohei Ohtani has seemed to handle his rushed pitching build-up following the WBC well. Add in the progress Blake Snell made this spring in his return from offseason shoulder problems –– putting him on track to return within the first couple months of the season –– and the Dodgers might have four potential aces before long.
The team’s rotation depth, however, is a potential red flag. Roki Sasaki’s spring training struggles were well-documented. Emmet Sheehan quietly struggled for much of camp, as well, finishing the spring with a 5.91 ERA after a 4 ⅔-inning, four-run, five-strikeout start Saturday.
For now, they will likely be the Nos. 4 and 5 arms in the rotation, with swingman Justin Wrobleski capable of piggybacking with them or being a spot sixth starter when needed (the Dodgers can get away with a five-man rotation for the first couple weeks of the season thanks to an abundance of off-days).
Last year, the Dodgers’ inability to get length from their starters incurred season-long costs on the bullpen. And until Sasaki, Sheehan or someone else beyond them can show consistent efficiency, the risk of overburdening the bullpen with repeatedly short starts will be a concern.
No matter how good the team’s top arms look.
Blake Treinen struggled during his final five Cactus League outings. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Right-handed relief
The Dodgers now boast one of the best right-handed relievers in baseball in new closer Edwin Díaz. How they get to him in the ninth inning, though, is something of a question.
While Alex Vesia, Jack Dreyer and a seemingly improved Tanner Scott provide plenty of left-handed weapons, the Dodgers’ righty middle relievers did not inspire much confidence this spring.
Blake Treinen was the biggest concern, allowing seven hits, seven walks and six runs over his final five Cactus League outings. Youngster Ben Casparius and Edgardo Henriquez also battled command issues.
Outside of Kyle Hurt, who had a strong camp but like Ryan was optioned as he returns from Tommy John, the most consistent right-handed reliever this spring might’ve been Will Klein, who followed up his heroics in last year’s World Series by allowing just one earned run and one walk in nine spring appearances while striking out nine batters.
Still though, Klein has just 22 career MLB appearances and was a journeyman before last year.
Thus, while the ninth inning might no longer be of concern for the team, building a bridge there –– especially against right-handed-heavy portions of opposing lineups –– could be a challenge barring some rapid individual improvements.
Staying healthy
The Dodgers might have gotten through this spring healthy. But staying that way will nonetheless be a task.
Their rotation still has to manage the heavy mileage they took on in last year’s playoffs. The lineup is full of 30-somethings who are coming off two consecutive grueling Octobers.
That’s why, in this year’s camp, the Dodgers were cautious with playing time, slowing the progressions of virtually everyone except Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages. Once the regular season begins, they will no longer have that luxury. And whether they can keep everyone healthy over another 162-game marathon could be the defining question of their entire season.
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This was announced late Saturday afternoon by manager Craig Counsell:
Craig Counsell announced today that Seiya Suzuki will not be ready for Opening Day, and they have until Wednesday to make an IL decision. pic.twitter.com/tniMKqFCrN
Obviously, this isn’t good news, though it seems possible that this IL stint won’t last too long. Earlier the team had said the injury was “minor,” but they obviously aren’t taking any chances.
This means that possibly all three non-roster outfielders, Dylan Carlson, Chas McCormick and Michael Conforto, will make the team. Or, for a short-term bench player, perhaps Kevin Alcántara will break camp with the Cubs.
Counsell has said Matt Shaw will start in right field on Opening Day if Suzuki wasn’t available, which is now the case. Personally, I think this is a mistake. The eye test says Shaw doesn’t take good routes to balls and his arm isn’t what you’d want from a right fielder. Granted, Shaw hasn’t played much out there — which is, I think, good reason to start Carlson in right field, at least he’s played there quite a bit and has decent range and a good arm.
As always. we await developments. Today’s game preview will post in 30 minutes at 6 p.m. CT.
GOODYEAR, AZ - MARCH 11: Robert Gasser #54 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Zach Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Robert Gasser has a real chance at making the Brewers’ rotation to start the season, but his spring hasn’t gone well so far; coming into today, Gasser had allowed seven runs in less than seven innings, giving him an ERA over nine. But he made a strong push for a roster spot today with six excellent innings against the San Diego Padres, and the Brewers rode Gasser and three homers to an easy, near-shutout victory in the waning days of spring training.
The Brewers went nine-up, nine-down to start the game (though they did get a hit in there—a William Contreras shot off the wall on which he was thrown out at second base), but they got something going in the fourth. While Sophia Minnaert spoke with coach Néstor Corredor about the Venezuelan National Team, a pair of Venezuelans got the Brewers on the board when Jackson Chourio singled and William Contreras crushed a homer to right-center. The next batter was Jake Bauers, who exploded a center-cut fastball; unfortunately Statcast data appeared to be malfunctioning so we don’t have measurements Bauers’ homer, but it looked like it was over 450 feet.
Nestor Corredor on the call as Wild Bill & Bauers both SMASH 💥
Gasser, meanwhile, was cruising. He gave up a couple of hits and hit a batter in the first inning but stranded the bases loaded, and after that early hiccup he settled in nicely. A couple of Padres doubled off of Gasser but neither was able to come around to score, and he had the strikeout stuff working nicely. He finished with six scoreless innings in which he allowed five hits and one walk while striking out seven on 79 pitches.
The Brewers struck again in the bottom of the sixth when Jackson Chourio got into one for his first home run of spring training, a high fly ball over the wall in left. That chased Vásquez and gave the Brewers a 4-0 lead.
Milwaukee added two more in the seventh; after Joey Ortiz reached on catcher’s interference and Brandon Lockridge reached on what could’ve been called an error but was ruled a hit, Andrew Fischer cleared the bases with a well-struck double. (Does anyone else feel like Fischer would be a solidly above average hitter in the big leagues if he was there today?)
DL Hall pitched a scoreless seventh with a strikeout, which lowered his spring ERA to 2.00. He threw only 11 pitches, so it was hard to gauge, but he did hit 95.5 mph on his fastest pitch, an encouraging sign for a pitcher who has not been throwing as hard as he has at times in the past. A couple of batters reached against Aaron Ashby in the eighth on a hit and a walk, but finished the inning with a three-pitch strikeout to strand them both.
Francisco Acuna ruined the shutout by hitting a solo homer to left off of Easton McGee to start the ninth, but a walk, a double play, and a lineout ended the game.
Chourio, Contreras, and Bauers supplied today’s homers; Chourio had two hits and Contreras three, including his first-inning blast off the wall that resulted in an out at second base. Bauers’ homer was his sixth of spring training, and by going 1-for-3 he lowered his batting average by 17 points, from .488 to .471. The team’s other extra-base hit came in the form of Fischer’s double; his spring OPS is up to 1.429.
The Brewers have two games tomorrow; the grown-ups will play the Cubs at 2:05, while the kids will play in another Spring Breakout game against the Athletics at 3:05. Then it’s back to Milwaukee before the final preseason tuneups on Monday and Tuesday evening at American Family Field.
The New York Rangers have signed Drew Fortescue to his three-year entry-level contract.
Fortescue is expected to report directly to the Rangers, meaning his entry-level contract will begin right away and he’ll become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2028.
The Rangers selected Fortescue in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft, and he’s spent the past three seasons playing for Boston College at the NCAA level.
The 20-year-old defenseman had the opportunity to join the professional ranks last season, similar to his former college teammate Gabe Perreault, but he and the Rangers organization decided it was best for him to return to Boston College for his junior season.
“I talked to the front office a little bit and kind of just think that’s best for my development going forward,” Fortescue said in July about his decision to return to Boston College. “Right now I’m just focused on getting bigger and stronger. My plan is to continue to work on that and be ready for the following year.”
According to Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic, Fortescue isn’t expected to play in the Rangers’ Sunday afternoon matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, and the preference is to get him some practice time before throwing him into the NHL fire.
In 36 games with Boston College this season, Fortescue recorded four goals, 10 assists, and 14 points.
Mar 9, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Kyle Carr (66) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Youth is both the future and the present tonight. After seeing Cam Schlittler—a key 25-year-old pitcher for their current rotation—toss a strong outing against the Tigers this afternoon, the Yankees are back on the field for this Spring Breakout Game, facing the Braves. The Baby Bombers lineup will be led by shortstop George Lombard Jr., who faced his fair share of struggles this spring training, hitting a disappointing .179, but remains one of the more exciting names in the Yankees system and the organization’s top prospect by most public outlets.
A young pitcher who earned a late-season call-up to Double-A, Kyle Carr will start the game against Owen Murphy, both coming off promising but very limited appearances in spring. The third-round pick from New York’s 2023 draft class out of a California junior college, the 23-year-old Carr is the Yankees’ No. 11 prospect per MLB Pipeline an dhas thrown four innings in camp, allowing one run, striking out, and walking a pair. Both of these teams have done a good job in recent years in bringing up and relying on young starters to help playoff contenders, thus thrusting this evening’s spotlight on Carr and 22-year-old Atlanta righty Owen Murphy, their first-round pick from 2022 (20th overall).
Joining Lombard in the Yankees’ starting nine are third baseman Core Jackson (No. 12 overall in the Yankees’ system), left fielder Jace Avina (No. 20), first baseman Coby Morales, center fielder Garrett Martin, second baseman Kaeden Kent (No. 13), DH Eric Genther, right fielder Brando Mayea (the 20-year-old top name from the 2023 IFA class), and catcher Ediel Rivera.
Available off the bench are catcher Engelth Urena, infielders Roderick Arias (a former top prospect), Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, Dexters Peralta, and Enmanuel Tejeda, and outfielders Wilson Rodriguez (No. 18), Willy Montero, and Kyle West. Active out in the bullpen are lefty Pico Kohn (No. 10) and right-handers Harrison Cohen (No. 27, who recently appeared in the World Baseball Classic for Team Israel), Jack Cebert (No. 25), Eric Reyzelman (No. 28), Tony Rossi (No. 30), Ben Grable, and Chris Kean.
A quirky detail that only a baseball fiend would notice is that three of the five Spring Breakout games on the schedule today feature classic World Series matchups of the past. On top of this Yankees-Braves duel, the Phillies beat the Jays 5-4 later, and the Dodgers and White Sox will meet up to wrap up the evening.
How to watch
Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, FL
A new tradition to Spring Training is once again gracing us prospect enthusiasts as the Spring Breakout game is here. What is Spring Breakout? It’s a new showcase added to Spring Training where every team around the league highlight their top rated prospects in a competition against one another. Next year, it will be expanded to a single-elimination tournament where champions will be crowned.
The past two years have not been too kind to the Braves – with the Braves losing 7-2 to the Red Sox in 2024, and losing 6-3 to the Tigers in 2025. However, it has done a good job of showing flashes of the future for the Braves as the 2024 roster featured future Braves stars Drake Baldwin (0-for-2, K), and Spencer Schwellenbach (3IP 4H 2R 1ER 2BB 3K). However, there is buzz as the Braves positional talent pool is the highest it’s been in recent memory.
Owen Murphy gets the start for the Braves. The shortstops are out in full force this game with Alex Lodise getting the start at short, Tate Southisene at second, and John Gil at third. All of that has shifted Dixon Williams to first. While in the outfield Eric Hartman-Diego Tornes-Conor Essenburg create a group of players with some of the highest offensive upside.
Carlos Correa (1) of the Houston Astros turns a double play over the slide by Christian Arroyo (28) of the New York Mets during a spring training game on March 14, 2026 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The veteran infield star was in Lake Minnetonka without a life jacket and with his 3-year-old, Kylo, on his neck when the pair were caught between their boat and the shore. Correa’s hamstrings and quads were cramping, he said, and his stamina fading.
With Correa’s hopes slipping, he looked above.
“‘Lord, save me,'” he said. “‘I promise you that if you save me from this one, I will serve you and I will serve you forever.'”
According to Correa, he found a buoy and a moment to breathe. But Correa’s grip slipped from the buoy, and he hurt his hand grasping for the buoy’s chain. Correa told MLB.com that he had to continually switch hands on the buoy to ensure he and Kylo would stay above water.
As a last gasp, he yelled with his all his might toward his boat. He was heard.
His father-in-law swam over and flung a life jacket, which Correa just barely grabbed with his pinkie. He was going to be OK.
“I was like, ‘From that moment on, I’m going to serve you,’” Correa told MLB.com. “I am going to keep my promise. And from that moment, I’ve been fully devoted.”
Carlos Correa poses during the 2024 All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Frutitas Agua Fresca at Globe Life Field North Plaza on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Correa — who always has been religious — took the next steps in his faith and organized a Bible study at his house in Houston over the offseason. He also told his story at a retirement home in hopes of inspiring others.
Correa may be more appreciative in Year 12 as a major leaguer. The three-time All-Star dealt with injuries and had begun to slope downhill with the Twins before the deadline trade back home that might have helped, as Correa posted a .785 OPS in 51 games back with the Astros last season.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke after the team's 5-3 loss to the Astros on Saturday afternoon and touched on a number of topics...
Position players still in the mix for Opening Day
The Mets made a few decisions regarding the Opening Day roster in recent days. They laid out their five-man starting rotation to start the season, which doesn't include Sean Manaea. Instead, the southpaw will begin the regular season in the bullpen as a piggyback to the starters.
New York also optioned right-hander Austin Warren to Triple-A -- along with Kevin Herget and Robert Stock. Warren was in the mix for a bullpen spot.
But how about the position players?
The big story heading into camp was who would start in right field. Prospect Carson Benge seemingly had the inside track and has backed it up with a big spring, but veterans like MJ Melendez and Mike Tauchman were competing for a spot. Melendez was optioned earlier this week, and Tauchman exited Saturday's game with knee soreness. He'll undergo an MRI.
Although Mendoza didn't have an update on Tauchman, the Mets skipper was asked whether Benge's spot is all-but-assured with this latest development.
"Can’t say," Mendoza said. "We don’t know. Just gotta wait."
On a follow-up, Mendoza was asked which of the position players are still in contention for a roster spot, and the third-year manager was honest about the situation.
"From the guys who are at camp, here. You got Jared Young, you got [Vidal] Brujan. There’s a lot of versatility here," Mendoza answered. "Carson’s pretty much in the mix as well. We’re looking at three, four guys for two spots."
Young hasn't produced at the plate this spring, hitting 3-for-30 (.150), but he offers that versatility Mendoza mentioned. He's played first base as well as left and right field in his six-year career.
Brujan has been better offensively this spring. He's batting .273 with seven walks, four stolen bases in 14 games. But Brujan offers more versatility than Young, having major league experience at six different positions, including all three outfield spots.
Jorge Polanco's throwing error
Polanco is one of two new Mets who are learning a new position and the veteran infielder's inexperience at first base showed on one play during Saturday's game.
In the eighth inning, Polanco ranged far to his right to get to the ball, but made a poor underhand throw to the bag, resulting in a throwing error.
Mendoza was asked about the play and what Polanco can learn from the moment.
"A very good learning opportunity," he said. "Not an easy play when he has to go that far. He’s diving for that ball, and not an easy angle for that 3-1 feed. Glad that it kinda happened, so he can learn from it. If he’s going to go underhand, continue to move your field or treat it like an infielder, which he’s done his whole career. You have that short throw, but it’s a moving target from that angle. It’s a tricky play. Because of who he is, he went long ways for that ball. You’re looking at a position where not too many first basemans are able to get to that ball. Learn from it and glad that happened today."
Mike Tauchman is set to undergo an MRI for a knee issue.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Mike Tauchman’s bid to secure a spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster may have hit a snag.
The veteran outfielder departed Saturday’s 7-5 exhibition loss to the Astros with left knee discomfort and was to receive an MRI exam, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
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Mendoza added that it was unclear if Tauchman’s injury was related to his collision with the right field fence early in the game.
Tauchman appeared uncomfortable after the play, and in the following inning, stopped in pain as he left the dugout.
“He felt something and just came back in and went inside with the trainer, so I am not sure how it happened,” Mendoza said.
Tauchman’s status is among the final decisions the team is facing in finalizing the 26-man roster for Opening Day.
Tauchman, Carson Benge, Vidal Brujan and Jared Young are essentially the four position players that appear in the mix for two roster spots. The Mets also have one bullpen spot open.
“We don’t know what we’re dealing with, but anytime you send somebody for an MRI there is a bit of a concern,” Mendoza said. “But we have just got to see what happens.”
Mike Tauchman is set to undergo an MRI for a knee issue. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Mets have Tyrone Taylor as a backup outfield option, and Tauchman has battled for a job — potentially as the starter if Benge isn’t added to the roster.
