Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke ahead of Tuesday's spring training game.

Here are the most important notes...

Brett Baty at second base, with shortstop possibly next

Mendoza said around the beginning of camp that Baty would eventually get time at second base. That time has come.

Baty, who got some serious burn at second last year for Triple-A Syracuse, is starting there on Tuesday against the Cardinals.

"I think it's putting him in a position where he's comfortable," Mendoza said. "That's why it took 10 days before we put him at second base. Now that he's got going offensively, felt like it was time for him to get a game at second base here in big league camp -- see what he looks like. And there's gonna be some teaching opportunities -- you want to take advantage of those, too."

While Baty is getting his first taste of second on Tuesday, shortstop could be next.

He's been taking grounders at the position, and it's possible he'll see game action there this spring.

"As far as shortstop goes, we'll see," Mendoza said. "If we have to put him on a back field. If we feel comfortable enough and he feels comfortable enough to have a game here on the big league team, we'll go that route."

Baty, a natural third baseman, was also working at out first base before the Mets re-signed Alonso. Additionally, he has limited outfield experience in the minors -- having played left field 30 times.

If Baty is able to handle shortstop in an emergency, he could be in good shape to win a job on the bench since the expectation is that Francisco Lindor will start and finish pretty much every game at short.

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