New York Mets News

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Luis Robert Jr. • CF • Mets

Mets to Slow-Play Luis Robert Jr. Early in Grapefruit League Schedule

The New York Mets will not be playing outfielder Luis Robert Jr. in Grapefruit League games out of the gate in an effort to keep him healthy, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. The Mets will work on strengthening Robert's lower body first, but the new outfielder is healthy in camp, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The 28-year-old has a history of missing time in his career due to lower-body injuries, so the Mets are going to play it safe early on. The Cuban outfielder has hit the 100-game mark in each of the last three seasons, but he's played over 140 games in his career just once in his six MLB seasons. In 110 games in 2025 in his final season with the Chicago White Sox, Robert slashed .223/.297/.364 with a .661 OPS, 14 homers, 53 RBI, 52 runs, and a career-high 33 stolen bases. There is still power/speed upside with Robert if you're willing to take the injury risk. Playing in New York with a better team also makes his upside more enticing. He's RotoBaller's No. 27 fantasy outfielder as their everyday center fielder.

Yesterday

Brett Baty • 3B • Mets

Brett Baty Will Ease Into Action After Tweaking Hamstring

New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (hamstring) tweaked his hamstring during offseason workouts "about two weeks ago" and will ease into spring training, manager Carlos Mendoza told Mike Puma of the New York Post. Baty had the best season of his young career while taking on a full-time role in 2025. Across 130 games, he slashed .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs, a 7.6% walk rate, a 25.0% strikeout rate, and 111 wRC+. He spent most of his defensive innings at third base (2 OAA and 1 FRV), but he carved out a significant chunk of time at second base (-1 OAA and -2 FRV), too. At this point, it's unclear whether Baty will be ready for Opening Day. Coming into spring camp behind schedule is far from ideal, but he does still have a full month to recover. Baty projects as the Mets' designated hitter in 2026, but he could start the year at third base if he's healthy, if Francisco Lindor (hand) isn't ready, and if Bo Bichette has to temporarily shift over to shortstop. That's a lot of hypotheticals, of course, and none of it will matter if Baty isn't ready to go.

Yesterday

Brett Baty • 3B • Mets

Brett Baty to Work in Super-Utility Role This Year?

New York Mets infielder Brett Baty could be in line to play a super-utility role for the team in 2026. Baty was working at second base in camp on Tuesday after spending time at first base on Monday, according to Metsmerized. He's expected to work all over the diamond in spring training this year, and he could even be a candidate to platoon in right field if outfield prospect Carson Benge begins the season in the minors. Bo Bichette is locked in at third base, and Marcus Semien will start at second this year, so Baty must increase his versatility to see the field in 2026. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter was a disappointment with the bat in his first three seasons at the big-league level, but he showed more promise in 2025, slashing .254/.313/.435 with a .748 OPS, 18 homers, 50 RBI, 53 runs, and eight steals in 130 games. From Aug. 1 on, Baty hit over .300 with seven homers in 146 plate appearances. Unfortunately, he might not have enough volume to make him relevant in mixed fantasy leagues.

Yesterday

Devin Williams • RP • Mets

Devin Williams is Adding New Pitches this Spring

New York Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams is working hard to shake up his pitching repertoire this spring. According to Laura Albanese, Williams is incorporating a cutter and adding a gyro slider to his mix of pitches. The hope is that using the gyro slider will help protect his changeup. Williams has been throwing these pitches in bullpen sessions and will soon get a chance to use them versus live hitting. The 31-year-old is coming off the worst season of his career with the New York Yankees in 2025. He registered a 4.79 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 90/25 K/BB ratio with 18 saves in 67 appearances. The Mets gave Williams over $50 million this offseason, so he's expected to be the primary closing option. The hope is that the addition of new pitches will help Williams bounce back in 2026.

3 days ago

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor is Very Optimistic for Opening Day

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) recently underwent surgery on his left hamate bone. Lindor is back in the Mets camp now and is very optimistic that he'll be ready to play on Opening Day. The expectation is that Lindor will need about six weeks of recovery time after having surgery. He underwent surgery last Wednesday and believes he'll be ready in time for the regular season. This certainly seems like great news, but who knows if Lindor will truly be 100 percent healthy by then. His fantasy stock should still take a hit, but possibly being ready for Opening Day is fantastic news for the Mets.

3 days ago

Francisco Alvarez • C • Mets

Francisco Alvarez Drops 10 Pounds

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez said that he lost around eight or 10 pounds in the offseason by focusing on his nutrition, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. Alvarez also worked with director of hitting Jeff Albert and will be keeping the batting stance he re-adopted after returning from his demotion to Triple-A Syracuse in 2025. The 24-year-old Venezuelan backstop was sent to the minors to work on his swing last year, and after he returned, he hit .276/.360/.561 with eight home runs in his final 40 games. The Mets are hoping that he can pick up where he left off this year. Alvarez finished 2025 with a .256/.339/.447 slash line, .787 OPS, 11 home runs, 32 RBI, and 32 runs scored in 76 games with the Mets. He suffered a torn UCL in his right thumb in August and also missed the first few weeks with a left-hand fracture. Durability concerns are obvious, but he's a starting catcher with plenty of pop in a strong Mets' lineup. Alvarez will be a low-cost No. 2 fantasy catcher with plenty of bounce-back appeal.

5 days ago

Jonah Tong • SP • Mets

Jonah Tong Looking to Develop his Offspeed Pitches

New York Mets right-hander Jonah Tong said that his focus in spring training this year is to "further develop his offspeed pitches," according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. Tong was confident in his fastball and changeup, and "I want to make sure I have the same level of confidence in my other two offerings." The 22-year-old is trying to improve his slider, curveball, and cutter to make him a more well-rounded pitcher as he enters his first full MLB season in 2026. The former seventh-rounder in 2022 made his big-league debut last year and struggled in five starts (18 2/3 innings), allowing 20 runs (16 earned) on 24 hits (three home runs), but he was able to strike out 22 hitters while walking nine. Tong was amazing in the minors, though, posting a 1.43 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 179 K's, and a 52.9% ground-ball rate in 22 starts. He will certainly need to improve his secondary offerings over a full season in the big leagues, and some critics are worried about his durability because of his slight frame at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. Tong checks in as RotoBaller's No. 84 starting pitcher for 2026.

5 days ago

Tylor Megill • SP • Mets

Tylor Megill Moves to 60-Day Injured List

The New York Mets placed right-hander Tylor Megill (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday to make room for new outfielder MJ Melendez on the 40-man roster, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Megill will miss the entire 2026 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in September of last year. The 30-year-old veteran stepped up in the Mets' starting rotation in 2025 with both Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas injured, and he went on to go 5-5 with a career-best 3.95 ERA (3.43 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 33 walks in 68 1/3 innings over 14 starts. Megill even had two starts with 10-plus strikeouts, but he landed on the IL in June with a right-elbow sprain and never pitched again. He has a career 4.46 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 435:163 K:BB in 409 2/3 innings over his 88 outings (81 starts) with the Mets over five seasons.

5 days ago

Ronny Mauricio • 3B • Mets

Ronny Mauricio a Candidate to Start At Shortstop?

New York Mets starting shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) underwent surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his hand on Wednesday and might not be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. With Lindor sidelined this spring, infielders Ronny Mauricio, Vidal Brujan, Grae Kessinger, and Jackson Cluff will take reps at shortstop. The Mets plan to leave Bo Bichette at third base for now. After missing all of 2024 due to a torn ACL in his knee, Mauricio struggled at the plate in 61 major-league games, hitting .226/.293/.369 with a .663 OPS, six home runs, 10 RBI, 15 walks, and 54 strikeouts in 184 plate appearances. The 24-year-old former top prospect is running out of time to make an impact in New York, and even if he does earn the starting nod at shortstop on Opening Day, Lindor isn't expected to miss extended time early on.

6 days ago

Bo Bichette • SS • Mets

Bo Bichette Won't Take Reps at Shortstop After Teammate's Injury

The New York Mets signed Bo Bichette this offseason to play third base, and The Athletic's Will Sammon writes that he "won't be taking reps at shortstop" following Francisco Lindor's surgery on the hamate bone in his hand. However, Sammon adds that it could change if Lindor's timetable changes. Early this spring with Lindor sidelined, infielders Vidal Brujan, Grae Kessinger, Jackson Cluff, and Ronny Mauricio will take spring training reps at the 6. The Mets are hoping that Lindor won't miss time, if any, to begin the 2026 regular season, so they'll keep Bichette locked in at the hot corner. The 27-year-old needs all the reps he can get at third, since he's never played the position professionally. Bichette rebounded nicely from an injury-plagued 2024 campaign to hit .311/.357/.483 with an .840 OPS, 18 homers, and 94 RBI in 139 regular-season games last year. He should have a high ceiling for run production while hitting for a high average and producing around 20 homers, and he'll have dual-position eligibility in 2026.

6 days ago

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor to Have Surgery on his Hand on Wednesday

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced that shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) will have surgery on his right hamate bone on Wednesday, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Mets announced on Tuesday that surgery was a possibility for Lindor, and he'll now go under the knife and miss significant time this spring. The 32-year-old is expected to face a six-week rehab period. The Mets are optimistic that the five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner will be ready for Opening Day at the end of March, but nothing is guaranteed right now. With Lindor out, the Mets will most likely move new infielder Bo Bichette to the 6, with Brett Baty handling most of the work at third base. Lindor's injury news definitely makes him a more volatile draft pick in fantasy this year, but RotoBaller still has him ranked as the No. 6 shortstop after his second 30-30 season in 2025.

7 days ago

Jorge Polanco • 2B • Mets |

Bo Bichette • SS • Mets

Mets Expect Bo Bichette to Bat Third, Jorge Polanco Fourth

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco will likely bat third and fourth, respectively. Presumably, that alignment is contingent on Francisco Lindor (hand) being ready for opening day. Bichette was the Mets' biggest addition of the offseason. The former Blue Jays shortstop will likely shift to third base in New York when Lindor is healthy. He's a dependable contributor with the bat in his hands, slashing .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 134 wRC+ across 139 games in 2025. Polanco is also a new addition for the Mets after inking a free agent contract in December. He spent the last two years in Seattle, primarily slotting in as the Mariners' second baseman or designated hitter. He slashed .265/.326/.495 with 26 home runs and 132 wRC+ last season. He typically led off for the Mariners, but he did make 21 cleanup appearances with a suboptimal .615 OPS in the fourth slot.

7 days ago

Carson Benge • CF • Mets

Carson Benge Viewed as Potential Starter in Right Field

New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge is viewed as a potential starting option in right field ahead of spring training. The team's President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, announced on Tuesday that with Juan Soto shifting to left field, Benge will be given an opportunity to earn the starting job. Additionally, he will compete alongside infielder Brett Baty, newly signed MJ Melendez, and veteran Tyrone Taylor. Baty spent the entire 2025 season in the minor leagues but was knocking on the MLB door for most of the summer. He began the campaign with High-A but would spend the second half at Triple-A. Across 116 total games, the Oklahoma State product posted a .281/.385/.472 line with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He is a top name to monitor in spring training, as he would hold five-category upside if he sees every day at-bats.

7 days ago

Brett Baty • 3B • Mets

Brett Baty a Candidate for Starting Role in Right Field?

Michael Baron of Just Mets lists Carson Benge, Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor, and MJ Melendez as options for right field this year for the New York Mets, with Juan Soto shifting to left field. Baron also adds that if he had to guess, the Mets are hoping that the left-handed-hitting Baty wins the job in spring training. If the 23-year-old Benge isn't quite ready to make the transition to the big leagues, the 26-year-old Baty might be the favorite to start in right field for New York to open the 2026 season, at least against right-handed pitching. The offseason acquisitions of Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette, and Jorge Polanco leave no room on the infield for Baty. Although Baty had a mediocre .254 batting average in 130 games last year, he did have a career-best .748 OPS, 18 home runs, and hit over .300 after Aug. 1. The former first-rounder has a much higher fantasy ceiling than Taylor, can do a little bit of everything, and can play multiple positions.

Feb 10

Juan Soto • RF • Mets

Juan Soto to Play Left Field for Mets in 2026

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto will play left field for the team in 2026, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns. The 4x All-Star played 157 games in right field for the Mets last year, but will make the transition to left, which is the same position he played when he broke in with the Nationals and during his time with the Padres in 2023. The 27-year-old is coming off another fantastic season in which he amassed a .263-43-105-120-38 stat line with a .390 wOBA and 156 wRC+. The Dominican is one of the safest choices atop draft boards, currently going around pick No. 4 in most leagues.

Feb 10

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor to be Evaluated for Stress Reaction in Left Hamate

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) is set to be evaluated on Wednesday for a stress reaction in his left hamate bone, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns. The 5x All-Star may need surgery, and if he does, it typically comes with a six-week recovery timeline. The Mets are still optimistic that, even if surgery is needed, the 32-year-old would be ready in time for Opening Day on March 26. Despite a prolonged two-month downturn in midseason of last year, the switch-hitter finished with a strong .267-31-86-117-31 stat line with a .350 wOBA and 129 wRC+. That type of multi-category production has made him expensive in early 2026 fantasy drafts, going around pick 16, but with no less than a 120 wRC+ and no less than 152 games played over the last four seasons, the price is justified so long as he's ready to go when the season begins.

Feb 10

Carson Benge • CF • Mets

Mets Invite Carson Benge to Spring Training

The New York Mets extended a non-roster invitation to outfield prospect Carson Benge on Monday. Despite adding Luis Robert Jr. in a trade this offseason, Benge is expected to compete for a starting job in the Mets' outfield in spring training this year. His primary competition for the left-field job will be Tyrone Taylor, MJ Melendez, and Brett Baty. The 23-year-old hit .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 116 games at three minor-league levels last year. Benge is a former two-way star who should already be stashed in dynasty/keeper leagues. While his upside remains high long term, don't be surprised if the Mets use him in a platoon role at the big-league level against right-handed pitchers. He slugged only .326 in 123 plate appearances against lefties last year. MLB Pipeline has Benge ranked as the No. 16 overall prospect entering the 2026 season.

Feb 9

Ryan Clifford • 1B • Mets

Ryan Clifford to Compete for Early MLB Debut?

New York Mets first base/outfield prospect Ryan Clifford is unlikely to break camp with the MLB roster, but should be in the mix to reach Queens early in the campaign. Per MLB.com, Clifford is the team's No. 6 prospect and is considered the sport's No. 5 overall first base prospect. Clifford was drafted in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. Last summer, Clifford spent the majority of his campaign (105 games) at Double-A. During this stint, Clifford held a .243/.355/.494 line with a strong .848 OPS. He hit 24 home runs while swiping four bases. He was then bumped up to Triple-A, where he logged 34 games with a much lower .219/.359/.393 line with a .754 OPS. Clifford will likely need to find his footing at Triple-A during the opening months before making a strong push to join the major leagues.

Feb 9

Brett Baty • 3B • Mets

Brett Baty is Getting Reps in Left Field

New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty is expected to shift positions this season. According to Anthony DiComo, Baty spent the latter part of his offseason getting reps in left field. The Mets brought in Bo Bichette to be the everyday third baseman, so Baty is without a full-time spot right now. He could very well get regular at-bats in the outfield, assuming he can prove himself to be a viable fielder in the corner outfield. According to Baseball Reference, Baty has played 1.0 inning in left field during his big league career. He has mostly been playing third base with some second base mixed in as well. Baty did a nice job with the bat last season, slashing .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs and 50 RBI in 130 games. The 26-year-old figures to get a fair shot at the left field job during Spring Training.

Feb 8

MJ Melendez • LF • Mets

Mets Sign MJ Melendez to Major-League Deal

The New York Mets have signed free-agent outfielder MJ Melendez to an MLB deal on Sunday. They've agreed on a one-year, $1.5 million contract for the upcoming 2026 season. Hopefully, a change of scenery will help Melendez, who has struggled during his first four years with the Kansas City Royals. He only played 23 big league games last season and spent most of his time in Triple-A. Melendez slashed .261/.323/.490 with 20 home runs, 64 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 107 games at Triple-A Omaha last season. The former second-round pick continues to post strong numbers in the minor leagues, but can't seem to translate them to the MLB level. Clearly, the Mets believe that they can tap into his potential, but he'll likely be a fourth outfielder.

Feb 8

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