PORT ST. LUCIE — Sean Manaea’s new quickened delivery with a runner on first base may have fooled even the umpires Monday.
Roderick Arias was awarded second base on a balk in the third inning of the Mets’ 3-0 exhibition loss to the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field.
The ruling was that the lefty Manaea didn’t come to a stop before delivering a pitch to Benjamin Cowles.
Manager Carlos Mendoza sought clarification from plate umpire Vic Carapazza in a lengthy discussion.
“It’s one of those things [Manaea] just started doing in spring training and [the umpires] are not familiar with that move,” Mendoza said. “It was new for them and they came up to me a couple of minutes later and said that was part of his move, so they are going to take a look at it. But it’s something we are going to have to let people know that it’s part of his delivery and should be.”
Manaea said the move was one he used in college and began utilizing again this spring.
Overall, he allowed two earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts over five innings and finished the Grapefruit League with a 3.24 ERA.
He is scheduled to pitch against the Tigers next Monday at Citi Field.
Team brass is still evaluating the final roster spots for the Opening Day roster.
DJ Stewart was headed north with the club, but wasn’t guaranteed a roster spot as the Mets evaluate potential other options that might be available now that camps have concluded.
Michael Tonkin, Yohan Ramirez and Sean Reid-Foley are the three pitchers in contention for two spots in the bullpen.
Adrian Houser remained in Florida — he’s scheduled to pitch in a minor league game on Tuesday — as the Mets flew home to New York.
Houser is aligned to pitch the Mets’ fifth game of the season, against the Tigers on April 2.
The Mets unveiled a patch they will wear on their uniforms this season in remembrance of Buddy Harrelson, who died in January at age 79 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
The patch will have the word “Buddy” and include his uniform number (3).
Harrelson was the shortstop on the Mets’ first World Series winning team in 1969.
The Mets are off on Tuesday and will hold a team workout the following day, ahead of the scheduled opener Thursday against the Brewers at Citi Field.
Mendoza is well aware there’s rain in the forecast.
“It’s early, but I am keeping an eye on it,” Mendoza said.