Stearns weighs in on Lindor's status for Opening Day, RF position battle
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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Francisco Lindor remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday, but he'll have to play some Grapefruit League games first.
“That would be a prerequisite,” Stearns said. “We would not have his first competition be Opening Day.”
Lindor underwent surgery shortly before the start of camp to repair a stress reaction in his left hamate bone.
He began playing catch on March 2 and has started to swing in the batting cage.
Lindor is the lone returning starter from last year's infield.
Stearns signed free agents Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco in the offseason, and traded for second baseman Marcus Semien. Bichette is learning to play third base this spring. Polanco is learning to play first.
“They both work extremely hard at those positions,” Stearns said. “There are nuances that they're learning. They're going to continue to learn, and it's not gonna be perfect, but I'm certainly pleased with the actions they're showing, what we're seeing in their daily work, and I think we're progressing well.”
In the final couple of weeks of Grapefruit League play, the Mets still have one position battle to settle: right field. Last season's right fielder, star Juan Soto, is moving to left this season.
Tyrone Taylor, Mike Tauchman, and 2024 first-round Draft pick Carson Benge are all getting the chance to claim the right-field spot this spring.
Benge is enjoying an impressive spring, raising his average to .391 after a 2-for-3 showing with three RBIs in the Mets' 9-0 win over Miami.
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“I expect him to contribute to our team this year,” Stearns said. “There's no question about that. I think the way he has developed throughout his professional career indicates that he is reaching that level. Whether that's on Opening Day or not, I don't know.”
The Mets are also looking to settle a couple of open bullpen spots.
“For the most part, this is about getting our team and individual players ready for the season,” Stearns said of the Mets' spring focus. “I think we're doing that. I think our coaching staff has done a really nice job of making sure this is a well-run, efficient camp.”
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Stearns also praised the culture being developed by players.
“I think guys are getting after it, and that's been good to see,” he said. “We have a very focused group in there. As I mentioned earlier, the work has been really quality on the field, and that's something you don't see every spring.
"I think we have a group that is actively trying to get better every single day, and that can be somewhat unique with a team full of veterans. That's not often the case. A lot of times you come to Spring Training with a veteran team, and everyone's really just got Opening Day circled, and it's counting down the days to Opening Day. I think what we felt here is guys are taking every single day seriously.”