Carlos Mendoza paused with a smile and knocked his fist on the bench in the home dugout on Friday morning at Clover Park.
With four Grapefruit League games left on the spring docket and a scrimmage scheduled for Monday in Port St. Lucie, the Mets have almost gotten through the slate relatively unscathed.
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The early February uneasiness that leaked in with Francisco Lindor’s fractured hamate bone has dissipated with a moderate workload and offensive conviction with a week until Opening Day. All six members of the starting rotation are on track to pitch over the first two series, leaving Mendoza with an interesting juggling act among his pitchers.
The only major injuries have come on the periphery of the major league roster, with Justin Hagenman shut down with a fractured rib and Robert Stock undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen addresses the media at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen addresses the media at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen addresses the media at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets center fielder Bo Bichette (19) talks to teammates during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets warm-up during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) during spring training at Clover park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette, left, talks to teammates during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets fans watch spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) ties his shoe during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Gear bags full of baseballs await the players during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) looks on during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) poses with Chase Kaldawy a fan visiting from Connecticut during the spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty’s (7) gear sits near a fowl line during the spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets players run on the field during spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) and infielder Ronny Mauricio (0) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Francisco Lindor (12) speaks to bench coach Kai Correa (not pictured) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) plays catch during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (center) speaks to infielder Marcus Semien (left) and third base coach Tim Leiper (right) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) looks on during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) looks on from the field during spring trining at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) fields ground balls during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Christian Arroyo (21) fields a ground ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) fields a ground ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) watches a bullpen session during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga (34) works in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams (38) works in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) bunts the ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) looks on before taking batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) gets ready to bat during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) takes batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to managers Carlos Mendoza (right) and assistant general manager Eduardo Brizuela (left) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets players take batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Mark Vientos (27) walks on the field with a bat during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Alex Carrillo (84) throws weighted wall ball drills during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Trey McGough (54) throws bullpen during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets bullpen coach José Rosado (67) watches bullpen pitching during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) throws a ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Brian Metoyer(6) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Fans watch a pitcher work in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) sits inside a dugout during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) walks inside a dugout during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) pitches during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Huascar Brazoban (43) pitches during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) delivers a pitch during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
With Lindor set to be penciled in at the leadoff spot for the Mets against the Pirates for Thursday’s opener against the Pirates, there is an opportunity for the front office to take the best players available into the regular season. That could mean top position prospect Carson Benge in right field and Mike Tauchman as a bench outfield option or left-handed designated hitter.
“I think everything’s on the table,” Mendoza said. “We’ve still got three, four more days, and I’m not anticipating this decision any time soon. I think we’re going to go all the way to the last day, not only here in camp but maybe once we get to New York. We could go a lot of different ways here.”
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Here’s why what was once viewed as a competition for right field could become moot, and the Mets could carry both Benge and Tauchman into the beginning of the season.
Francisco Lindor on track for regular impact
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) addresses the media at Clover Park on his first day back at spring training on March 15, 2026, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
The first indication that a five-outfielder scenario could be a possibility came on Friday afternoon as Bo Bichette lined up at shortstop for the first time this spring against the Cardinals.
Early in camp, the team’s leadership said that they wanted to give Bichette all of the time at third base to ease his transition to a new position. But the Mets are covering their bases with a few days left in camp, and maybe Bichette could emerge as the backup shortstop, leaving room for both of the right fielders to make the cut.
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The other contender for a roster spot is Vidal Brujan, who would give the Mets coverage at shortstop, but he does not offer the same offensive punch as Tauchman. In Grapefruit League play, Brujan is 7-for-28 with one run, one RBI and seven strikeouts.
Lindor’s health is the biggest piece in this puzzle, and the Mets have been encouraged by how he has handled his first three games back from hand surgery.
“Continues to bounce back well. I’m just surprised with the aggressiveness and how normal he looks when he’s swinging the bat,” Mendoza said. “There’s impact, there’s strength, he’s letting it go. You don’t see any hesitation there, any reservation, so that’s a good sign.”
Carson Benge, Mike Tauchman are best offensive options
New York Mets left fielder Mike Tauchman (50) celebrates after scoring against the Washington Nationals during the first inning on March 5, 2026, at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
The availability of both Benge and Tauchman could be the Mets’ best offensive setup going into the season.
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Benge has proven that he belongs through the first month of spring action.
The 23-year-old, who is the No. 16 prospect in Major League Baseball, quickly shook of an 0-for-6 start to his first major league camp. Since then, he’s 16-for-26 with five runs, five RBI and one stolen base.
In right field, Benge has a big arm, chiseled through his early career as a pitcher, and the athleticism to match. The only question is how he will handle the major league grind, but his early results have shown he’s worthy of a spot.
The veteran Tauchman is more than capable, as well, and could opt out of his minor league deal if he’s not included on Opening Day. In 11 Grapefruit League games, he is 7-for-25 (.280) with one home runs, six RBI and five runs. Tauchman’s offensive floor is what could be enticing to the Mets’ front office. He has not seen a on-base percentage below .356 in the last three seasons, while maintaining an OPS of at least .723.
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The 35-year-old has also spent time at all three outfield positions throughout his career.
Versatility abound with Brett Baty, Bo Bichette and others
New York Mets right fielder Brett Baty (7) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 5, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Without Brujan or Ronny Mauricio, who was optioned to Triple A earlier in the week, the Mets can still be covered all over the infield.
Bichette could easily slide over to shortstop in a pinch, which would move Brett Baty over to third base where he proved he can add a strong glove last season. He played for the first time this spring on Thursday night.
In Baty, the Mets have a versatile option that can play three of the infield positions as he gets a handle on first base, along with the outfield. His left-handed bat was one of the Mets’ best down the stretch in the 2025 season.
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“We don’t even know what the roster is going to be constructed as right now, so I’m ready for anything,” Baty said. “I’ve told them that, and I’m excited to see where it goes.”
Jorge Polanco, who has spent all of his time learning the ropes at first base this spring, spent the majority of his time in the field at second base last season for the Mariners.
The Mets front office built a flexible roster this offseason with players who can fill in multiple spots. That could open the door for another balanced offensive option to be included for Opening Day.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets roster decisions for Opening Day 2026, including Carson Benge