Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced this morning that outfielder Mike Tauchman has a meniscus tear in his knee and will require surgery. That certainly takes the 35-year-old out of the equation for the Mets’ final decisions about their Opening Day roster, but assuming he stays with the organization, it is the sort of surgery that should give him an opportunity to join the Mets’ roster at some point this season.
Coming off a very solid 2025 season with the White Sox, Tauchman signed a minor league deal with the Mets in mid-February. And in Grapefruit League play, he hit .241/.371/.448 with a home run, putting himself on track to get a spot on the Mets’ roster to start the season.
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With Tauchman sidelined, though, the starting gig in right field should belong to top prospect Carson Benge, who very well might’ve made the team even if Taucham hadn’t gotten hurt. After looking very good in the upper levels of the minors last year, the 23-year-old has looked fantastic in spring training games. He’s hit .368/.442/.447 in those exhibition games and will be an exciting player to watch as the season gets underway.