Mets Spring Training: Everything you need to know

NEW YORK -- Although the official start of Spring Training is not for another week, sunny scenes from Port St. Lucie, Fla., are already filtering onto social media. Various pitchers, including new ace Freddy Peralta and rookie Nolan McLean, have begun throwing at the team’s spring complex.

More Mets will follow in the coming days, with everyone due on site by the middle of the month. With that in mind, here’s a primer for all things spring:

When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
Feb. 11

What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
Feb. 16

Where is the team’s facility?
Clover Park is located at 31 Piazza Dr. in the St. Lucie West neighborhood of Port St. Lucie. It’s a rapidly growing neighborhood, with plenty of restaurants, bars, retail stores, golf courses and other businesses in the area.

Can fans attend workouts?
Yes, all workouts before the start of Grapefruit League games are free and open to the public. Timings vary by day, but players typically begin filtering onto the back fields around 9:30 a.m. ET.

Who are some new faces fans should know?
The Mets once again had a hyperactive offseason, trading for Peralta, second baseman Marcus Semien and center fielder Luis Robert Jr., while signing infielder Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract and infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal. The Mets also brought in relievers Devin Williams, Luke Weaver and Luis García on free-agent contracts.

Departed players include fan favorite outfielder Brandon Nimmo, first baseman Pete Alonso and infielder Jeff McNeil. The Mets turned over nearly a third of their 40-man roster, so the group that assembles in Port St. Lucie this month will look quite different than the one that came before it.

Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
The one to watch for is No. 2 prospect Carson Benge, who will compete for the starting left-field job despite having just 24 games of experience above Double-A. Mets officials love Benge’s blend of power, speed and defense and believe he can be a cog in their lineup for years to come, even if not on Opening Day.

While No. 1 Mets prospect McLean will also be in his first big league camp, fans are already plenty familiar with him. Jonah Tong (No. 3) will compete for a rotation job alongside him, while outfielders Nick Morabito (No. 14) and A.J. Ewing (No. 5) will look to impress Mets officials.

When is the team’s first Grapefruit League game?
Feb. 21 against the Marlins at Clover Park

What are a few other notable spring games?
The Mets will take an overnight trip to Tampa on the first weekend of the Grapefruit League schedule, playing the Yankees in Tampa on Feb. 22 and the Blue Jays in Dunedin on Feb. 23. They’ll then host the Yankees in Port St. Lucie on March 8.

An unusual spring highlight is a pair of exhibition games against Team Nicaragua and Team Israel, who will compete in the World Baseball Classic. Mets slugger Mark Vientos is set to play for Nicaragua.

What is Spring Breakout and when is the game?
Since 2024, Spring Breakout has pitted teams of prospects from various teams against each other. This year, a team of Mets prospects will play their Rays counterparts in a 7:10 p.m. ET game on March 19. Participating prospects will be announced at a later date.

Will the team’s games be televised?
Although SNY has yet to announce its spring broadcast schedule, the network typically airs all home games from Clover Park, with Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling manning the booth for at least a couple of them. Other SNY personalities, including field reporter Steve Gelbs, will appear on the rest.

When is the club’s last game in Florida?
March 22 against the Marlins in Jupiter

Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
No. Following their March 22 game, the Mets will fly home for Opening Day.

What are the details for Opening Day?
The Mets will host the Pirates on March 26 at 1:15 p.m. ET, starting a three-game set that also includes afternoon games on March 28-29.