5 things we’ve learned at NY Mets spring training with 2025 season a month away

We’ve officially reached the first month of the baseball season.

Sure, there are still four weeks of spring training action to be played, but the Mets will see their first major league action on March 27 against the Astros in Houston.

The opening week of spring training action, preceded by two weeks of preparation, has provided a strong sense of what the Mets’ Opening Day roster could be in a month’s time. It also provided some questions moving forward.

With three weeks of spring training in the books, here are five things we’ve learned about the Mets ahead of the 2025 season.

Clay Holmes is embracing the starter role

New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) pitches during a Spring Training workout on Feb. 12, 2025, at Clover Park.

There were some looming questions about how Clay Holmes would make the shift back to a starting pitcher.

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In his first two starts of spring, he’s brought encouraging results. The 31-year-old right-hander, who signed a three-year, $38 million deal with the Mets in the offseason, has tossed six scoreless innings with one walk and one hit allowed in two games against the Astros. He’s struck out five batters.

Holmes is still working through the kinks and building up — he threw 42 pitches in the game Thursday and another 17 to 18 on the side — but the secondary pitches, including a four-seam fastball and kick changeup, to complement his sinker and slider, appear to be in a good place.

“I thought he was good again. Attacked the zone, used all of his pitches,” Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Thursday. “Second time he faced this lineup, a couple of the regulars. I think the sinker was good. He threw some four seams that were good. Slider, sweeper, the cutter, I think overall another good outing for him.

There’s a battle for the final infield spot

New York Mets second base Jeff McNeil (1), right, talks to third base Brett Baty (7) as they batting practice during spring training on Feb. 15, 2025, at Clover Park.

The Mets infield depth took a hit early this week when Nick Madrigal tumbled to the grass in the first inning of the Mets’ split-squad game against the Nationals. Madrigal sustained a fractured left shoulder on the play.

Mendoza told reporters on Friday that Madrigal, who was expected to be a potential bench option for across the diamond, will undergo surgery and likely miss the 2025 seaosn.

With Starling Marte and Jesse Winker poised to split time at designated hitter, the Mets have one available spot to serve in a utility infield role. Brett Baty and Luisagel Acuña are the contenders for that spot.

Baty picked up second base in the minor leagues last season, adding to his growth at third base, and has taken reads at shortstop during batting practice. Acuña is a natural shortstop with time at second base. He’s taking action at third base this spring.

The question is whether the Mets want to stunt the growth of either player in a bench role where they are unlikely to get regular playing time.

Starting pitching depth tested early

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (58) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning on Feb. 26, 2025, at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

The Mets could not get through another spring training without their starting rotation take a hit.

Last season, it was Kodai Senga’s shoulder. Injuries to Carlos Carrasco, Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander came in the three seasons before that.

This season, it is Frankie Montas’ lat and Sean Manaea’s oblique. Montas’ injury is more severe — a high-grade strain that will keep him from throwing for another roughly four to six weeks. Manaea will be reevaluated in a week but will need to ramp up, putting his start to the season in question.

Those two injuries put a major emphasis on the development of Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill this spring. They could all potential factor in the rotation in the early going.

In his first action, Blackburn, who is working back from a spinal fluid leak repair last fall, tossed a perfect first inning on Wednesday. Canning worked around two hits and a walk to throw 1⅔ scoreless innings of relief Thursday. Megill has yet to debut this spring despite throwing as many as three innings in live batting practice.

Juan Soto is human

Well, that’s what Mendoza said he has learned about the 26-year-old outfielder in his first two weeks of spring training action.

The Mets are still getting to know their new superstar, who has made strong impressions by gifting Baty a truck for No. 22 and seems to be getting comfortable with the core of the Mets lineup.

“He’s human. He’s humble,” Mendoza said Thursday. “I’ve been very, very pleased with how he’s connecting with the guys and sharing the knowledge and asking questions, having fun. That’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed in this early going. “

Soto made waves during his first Grapefruit League at-bat when he sent an opposite-field home run to left-center field. He did that for the second time on Friday afternoon, belting a two-run shot off Nationals newcomer Shinnosuke Ogasawara. Soto has showcased his offensive firepower in early action, going 3-for-8 with two home runs, three runs and four RBI.

Some reasons for caution

New York Mets right fielder Starling Marte (6) runs on the field during a spring training workout on Feb. 19, 2025, at Clover Park.

While Brandon Nimmo made his first spring training start on Friday, the Mets have yet to feature Starling Marte this spring.

The bone bruise in Marte’s knee, which hampered him beginning last June, is still on the mind of the Mets. Mendoza said this week that Marte has “some good days, some not so good” as he works into playing shape.

The 36-year-old outfielder, who saw his right field spot taken by Soto, is on a progression to get back into games. He will begin seeing live pitching on the back fields early this month. But the fact that Marte is still dealing with an issue with his knee is troubling.

Meanwhile, the Mets are also taking it slow with Dedniel Nuñez, who missed the final three months of the season with a right flexor strain. The upstart righty reliever has yet to throw live batting practice but is expected to be available for Opening Day.

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