Mets Spring Training Notes: Brandon Nimmo nearing 100 percent; Jett Williams fine after HBP scare

Mets spring training continued on Friday in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Among the new arrivals was Jeff McNeil, who joined a growing group of position players who are in camp ahead of the mandatory reporting date.

Here are the key things to know from camp on Friday:

Brandon Nimmo hopes plantar fasciitis is behind him

Nimmo was hampered by plantar fasciitis in his left foot last season, and he is still working his way back to 100 percent.

"I'm at like 91 percent now," Nimmo told reporters. "We're in a really good spot. Good place to be. We're trending upwards, gonna keep stacking good days on good days -- really what you want to do is not push it too hard right now, because it's trending in the right direction. We'll take those steps accordingly, but it's in a really good spot right now."

Nimmo said his foot has felt normal for about three or four weeks, and that the 91 percent figure he gave is exact -- he's wearing a "trackable device" that measures his speed.

The foot injury was a problem for Nimmo at times early last season, but he said it didn't really bother him between May and Game 3 of the NLDS against the Phillies at Citi Field. From that point until the end of the Mets' postseason run in Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, it was a serious issue.

And while Nimmo said plantar fasciitis could always come back, he's hopeful it's in the "rearview mirror."

"We did a lot of PT on it this offseason, did some shock therapy stuff on it, we did a lot of soft tissue stuff, we got a PRP injection in there, and then worked a lot on strengthening the foot," he explained. "There was a lot of elements that went into it, also trying to find different cleats that work. It wasn't a one-pronged approach. There was many parts to it."

Nimmo said he expects to start playing Grapefruit League games in early March, which is when he usually begins playing in spring training games. The Mets' first spring game is Saturday, Feb. 22 on SNY.

Jett Williams fine after hit-by-pitch

There was a scary moment on Friday afternoon when Williams was hit on the right wrist by a pitch from Blade Tidwell during live batting practice.

Williams left the batter's box and was attended to by a trainer, but said afterward that he was fine.

Most of Williams' 2024 season was wiped out due to a wrist injury that required surgery.

Williams is expected to open this season in the minors, but could make his big league debut at some point this year.

"We think he can play both second and center at a high level," David Stearns said about Williams on Thursday. "He hasn't had the reps there yet, but he has all the skills and tools to be able to do it. So I do think we're gonna try to get him a few more reps at both those positions this year.

"What I would anticipate is, we're looking at a player who can play the three premium positions at an average or better level. I really think he has that ability to do it. There aren't too many people who can do that."