Mets’ infield gets boost with Joey Wendle return and Jeff McNeil ‘progressing’
PORT ST. LUCIE — Thursday was a good day for the Mets’ infield.
Utilityman Joey Wendle made his Grapefruit League debut and Jeff McNeil continued “progressing,” manager Carlos Mendoza said, and is expected to get the green light to hit on Saturday.
Against the Nationals at Clover Park, Wendle played five innings at second base for the first time this spring after experiencing right shoulder soreness early in camp.
The veteran did not throw for a few days and has since built his arm back up. He has made throws across the diamond, though his first few spring games will come at second base.
Wendle, signed to a one-year, $2 million contract this offseason, is expected to back up at shortstop and third base, too, when the season begins.
The 33-year-old, who went 0-for-2 in his spring debut, said he probably had taken 25 at-bats on back fields already and feels he has plenty of time to feel ready by the start of the season.
McNeil, meanwhile, is still not swinging a bat after experiencing left biceps soreness last week.
The issue has improved to the point that the Mets did not believe it necessary to send McNeil for an MRI exam, and the second baseman has been playing the field on back fields.
Mendoza said McNeil likely will play in a minor league game Friday before being cleared to start swinging again a day later.
Joey Lucchesi has yet to pitch in a Grapefruit League game after showing up to camp “a little bit behind,” Mendoza said.
The lefty, who lost some weight this offseason to feel healthier for this season, threw an inning in a minor league game Thursday and then threw a second inning inside in the cage because rain arrived.
He is still expected to be stretched out by the time the season begins and thus still in contention for a rotation spot created by Kodai Senga’s injury.
Tylor Megill, who has been excellent this spring, is a front-runner, and Jose Butto is in the mix.
The Mets’ roster for the March 15 Spring Breakout game — a first-ever spring showcase featuring prospects around baseball taking center stage — includes infield standouts Jett Williams and Luisangel Acuña as well as top outfielder Drew Gilbert.
Some of the Mets’ best prospects will face some of the Nationals’ best prospects at 3:10 p.m. at Clover Park.
Among the other minor leaguers on the Mets roster are outfielder Ryan Clifford (the other piece of the Justin Verlander trade), starting pitchers Dominic Hamel and Tyler Stuart and the three top Mets picks from the 2023 draft (shortstop Colin Houck, righty Brandon Sproat and two-way player Nolan McLean).
The full roster with the MLB Pipeline organizational ranking:
Pitchers
Brandon Sproat, RHP, No. 13
Dominic Hamel, RHP, No. 14
Tyler Stuart, RHP, No. 18
Nolan McLean, RHP, No. 19
Calvin Ziegler, RHP, No. 22
Paul Gervase, RHP, NR
Daniel Juarez, LHP, NR
Wilkin Ramos, RHP, NR
Ben Simon, RHP, NR
Catchers
Kevin Parada, C, No. 9
Ronald Hernandez, C, No. 20
Vincent Perozo, C, NR
Infielders
Jett Williams, SS, No. 1
Luisangel Acuña, SS, No. 3
Colin Houck, SS, No. 7
Marco Vargas, INF, No. 8
Jeremy Rodriguez, SS, No. 12
Jacob Reimer, 3B, No. 15
Jesus Baez, SS, No. 21
William Lugo, INF, NR
Junior Tilien, INF, NR
Outfielders
Drew Gilbert, OF, No. 2
Ryan Clifford, OF, No. 4
Alex Ramírez, OF, No. 16
Nick Morabito, OF, No. 26
Rhylan Thomas, OF, No. 30
