Mets Notes: The plan for Drew Gilbert; Jose Ureña to be stretched out as starter

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

Here are the most important notes...

What Mets need to see from Drew Gilbert

Gilbert, one of the Mets' top prospects, has not appeared in spring training games yet following a minor league season where he was limited to 62 games due to injury.

On Friday, Mendoza talked about what he wants to see from the 24-year-old once he's ready for game action.

"Be himself, go out there -- he's a gamer," Mendoza said. "He plays the game hard, he goes and gets it in the outfield, he impacts the baseball, he runs the bases. I think it just starts with being healthy and being on the field. After that, just continue with his development.

"He's another guy that missed time last year. That's why he's not in games yet. We're gonna make sure we do this right, and he's in a good spot before we start playing games."

Gilbert struggled when on the field in the minors last season, posting a .685 OPS.

His showing in the Arizona Fall League was better, with a .783 OPS and four home runs in 92 plate appearances over 21 games.

Gilbert is expected to start this season back with Triple-A Syracuse, but could be an option for the big league club sooner rather than later if he performs well.

The plan for Jose Ureña

With New York's starting pitching depth taking a hit with injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, the club recently signed Ureña to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp.

On Friday, Mendoza talked about the versatility Ureña can provide.

"This is a guy that can start for us," Mendoza said. "He's gonna get stretched out -- we gotta get with him and see where he's at. He was pitching in winter ball, but the goal is to kind of get him stretched out. He can pitch out of the bullpen multiple innings."

Ureña was solid last season for the Rangers, posting a 3.80 ERA (4.62 FIP) and 1.32 WHIP in 109.0 innings over nine starts and 24 relief appearances.

His advanced stats in 2024 were a mixed bag. Ureña had well above average fastball velocity, and an elite ground ball rate (50.6 percent). He was about average when it came to walk rate and barrel percentage, and a bit below average regarding hard hit percentage, average exit velocity, and pitching run value.

Ureña worked as a starter only in 2023, when he started 10 games for the Rockies and White Sox.

As things currently stand, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson are expected to begin the season in the rotation, with Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill, and potentially Ureña competing for the other spots on the starting staff.