PORT ST. LUCIE — Carlos Mendoza spent Saturday morning in his Clover Park office informing a handful of players that they would not make the team out of camp. Catcher Jakson Reetz, infielder Donovan Walton, right-handed starter Jose Ureña and relievers Genesis Cabrera and Chris Devenski were all told they would not be traveling to Houston for Opening Day with the Mets, and instead would start the season with Triple-A Syracuse. The club expects that all will remain in the organization.
However, infielders Luisangel Acuña, Brett Baty and catcher Hayden Senger are not locks to make the team. The Mets are keeping spots open in the event they make a waiver claim or a trade over the next few days. The trio will likely travel to Houston and work out with the team Wednesday before the Mets make their final few decisions.
Senger knows he’s close to reaching his dream, but he’s not willing to let himself get too excited yet.
“I think I’m pretty even keeled right now,” Senger said Saturday. “I’m not really focusing on that, just focusing on the day-to-day.”
When Francisco Alvarez went down with a broken hamate bone, Senger immediately recognized the opportunity in front of him. At the time, he was competing for the backup catcher role with Chris Williams and Reetz, but the pitching staff has more of a familiarity with the homegrown Senger and the Mets have always been high on his receiving, framing and blocking abilities.
Senger was named the organization’s minor league catcher of the year in 2023. At the time, he was coming off a dismal offensive season. He hit just .188 with a .295 OPS with Double-A Binghamton that year and was feeling down about himself, which made the award meaningful for him, even if it was a defensive award.
“It boosted my confidence a little bit,” Senger said. “And showed that they care about me.”
Senger has never been known for his bat, but he did hit a home run Saturday against the Washington Nationals. Admittedly, his offensive struggles wore on him, but he never let them affect his catching.
“I always keep everything separate, hitting and defense,” Senger said. “Like, once my mask goes on, like, no more thoughts about hitting. It’s about the pitcher and getting him through the inning.”
As a backup catcher, the Mets place a higher value on his defense and receiving abilities than on his bat, but Senger has spent the spring working on creating a more solid approach at the plate. He hit just .143 in Grapefruit League play, but he cut down on his chase rate and hit fastballs hard, seeing some good progress.
Behind the plate, Senger has been more athletic this spring. Working with minor league catching coordinator Bob Natal and Syracuse bench coach J.P. Arencibia on being a “shortstop” behind the plate with his footwork, arm angles and anticipatory instincts.
Barring a waiver claim, Senger will make the team.
The waiver wires tend to be somewhat active in the immediate days following the conclusion of spring training with teams making final roster cuts. Trades are not uncommon either, and veteran players on minor league contracts with the ability to opt out do so around this time.
BULLPEN BATTLE
Right-handed relievers Jose Butto and Reed Garrett will be on the Mets’ Opening Day roster, as will left-hander Danny Young, which leaves some doubt about whether left-hander A.J. Minter and/or Dedniel Nuñez will be active to start the season. Butto and Garrett weren’t on the bubble, but Young was. It’s a feel-good moment for the trio, who have never experienced a big league Opening Day.
Minter threw one inning Saturday in a 5-5 Grapefruit League tie with the Nationals, and will pitch again Monday against the Yankees. Nuñez will also pitch Monday, which would be his third spring appearance. The Mets previously said they wanted him to make it through at least three outings.
The Mets won’t make final roster decisions regarding pitching until they see how Nuñez and Minter feel Tuesday.
“If he’s in a good spot, that’ll do it for us,” Mendoza said of Minter.
The same goes for Nuñez.
Right-hander Paul Blackburn pitched on a backfield Saturday, using 82 pitches over five innings. The Mets have not decided whether to start him in the bullpen or put him in the rotation right away.
MAJOR LEAGUE MEGILL
Right-hander Tylor Megill made his final Grapefruit League start Saturday, finishing the spring slate with a 4.42 ERA in four starts. Against the Nats, he allowed three earned runs on six hits, walked two and struck out five over 5 1/3 innings. The stuff was good, with Megill getting 12 swings and misses and touching 97 MPH with his fastball. He threw a lot of fastballs, and went heavy on the slider and sinker, the pitch that turned around his season last September.
Megill has not been told anything about his role moving forward. The Mets have not yet decided what and how to proceed with Blackburn, Megill and right-hander Griffin Canning. Right-hander Max Kranick has also complicated the picture with a strong spring, which could mean the Mets option Megill to Triple-A to start the season.
The other scenario would be using Canning and Megill in the rotation, and using Blackburn out of the bullpen early, before moving him to the rotation as the sixth man.
