NEW YORK -- A day after generating plenty of optimism by making their Yoenis Céspedes signing official, the Mets on Thursday announced a series of 2017 Spring Training dates.
Pitchers and catchers must report to Port St. Lucie, Fla., by Feb. 12, a few days earlier than usual due to the following month's World Baseball Classic. The first official workout for pitchers and catchers will occur on Feb. 14. Position players must report by Feb. 17, with the Mets' first full-squad workout scheduled for Feb. 19.
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Most of these dates, however, are mere formalities. Players have taken to reporting to Florida increasingly early in recent years, with many owning part- or full-time residences in the Port St. Lucie area. By the time the official report dates hit, typically only a handful of veterans have yet to arrive at the team's Spring Training complex.
The Mets' first Grapefruit League game is scheduled for Feb. 24 against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, Fla. Opening Day is April 3 against the Braves at Citi Field.