As the Mets complete their 26-man roster for Opening Day, pretty much everything has come into focus.
Speaking on Wednesday in Houston ahead of Thursday's opener against the Astros, president of baseball operations David Stearns said Brett Baty, Hayden Senger, Max Kranick, and Huascar Brazoban had been informed that they made the team.
There really wasn't any suspense when it came to Baty.
Baty was already getting exposed to second base before Jeff McNeil suffered a mild oblique injury, but that injury opened the door for the 25-year-old to not only begin the year on the roster but enter it as the expected regular second baseman.
After getting some reps at second base last year while with Triple-A Syracuse, Baty looked more than capable at the position during spring training games, which impressed manager Carlos Mendoza.
Baty's range, arm, fielding ability, and instincts were all solid, paving the way for this opportunity.
Mendoza said the “game will dictate” how much Baty sees left-handed pitchers, but the plan in the season's early days will be for the 25-year-old to get “a lot of the reps at second base.”
“Especially when you look at the matchups early on the teams that we’re facing, we’re gonna be facing a lot of righties,” the manager said. “So it will be a very good opportunity.”
Stearns said Baty “wouldn’t be here” if he wasn’t expecting him to “get a lot of playing time.”
“He has also earned that [opportunity to play]. He had a great spring, I think he’s played pretty well over at second base,” Stearns said. “Mendy’s gonna put all these guys in the best position to succeed and, I think, we’ll see Brett plenty out there.”
Stearns noted that the team remains undecided on its final roster spot, which will theoretically go to infielder Luisangel Acuña or someone who isn't currently on the roster. Carrying outfielder Alexander Canario (who is out of options) would mean having no backup infielders on the expected four-man bench. Reports later on Wednesday indicated Acuña would be the one getting the nod ahead of Thursday's noon deadline.
Meanwhile, Senger -- whose first game action will be his MLB debut -- will serve as Luis Torrens' backup with Francisco Alvarez out.
As far as Kranick and Brazoban, they had been in competition for the final spot in the bullpen. But two spots wound up being open because...
Paul Blackburn will open season on IL
Blackburn was placed on the 15-day IL due to knee inflammation, Stearns said, adding that the right-hander will refrain from throwing for seven-to-10 days.
The expectation, per Stearns, is that Blackburn will return at some point in April.
Blackburn began spring training in competition for a starting rotation spot, but the final two slots went to Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill. That left Blackburn destined for the bullpen, until his injury.