PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The New York Mets are taking a deliberately cautious approach as spring training gets underway, with several key players – catcher Francisco Alvarez, outfielder Luis Robert Jr., infielder Jorge Polanco, and infielder Brett Baty – not expected to participate in game action early on. Manager Carlos Mendoza announced the plan Tuesday, prioritizing player health as the team prepares for the 2026 season. This measured strategy reflects a desire to avoid repeating past injury setbacks and ensure these players are fully prepared for the demands of a long season.
The most immediate concern surrounds Brett Baty, who experienced discomfort in his right hamstring a couple of weeks ago. While not considered a serious injury, the Mets will “gradual-play it” with the 26-year-traditional, according to Mendoza. Baty, who hit .254 with 18 home runs and 50 RBIs in 130 games last season, is expected to play multiple positions this year, including third base, second base, first base, and even left field, adding versatility to the Mets’ lineup. The team’s willingness to prioritize a full recovery for Baty underscores his importance to their plans, even with the recent addition of Bo Bichette at third base.
Robert Jr.’s Transition to Queens
Luis Robert Jr., acquired from the Chicago White Sox, will also be eased into game action. The Mets’ training staff will focus on strengthening exercises designed to prevent the lower-body injuries that have plagued him in the past. Robert finished last season with a hamstring strain, appearing in 110 games for the White Sox and hitting .223 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs. The Mets are hoping a proactive approach will allow Robert to stay healthy and contribute consistently throughout the season. Trade rumors surrounding Baty have surfaced recently, but the Mets appear committed to his development, as reported by amny.com.
Precautionary Measures for Polanco and Alvarez
Both Jorge Polanco and Francisco Alvarez will be held out of early spring games as a precautionary measure. Polanco, a free-agent signing after two seasons with the Seattle Mariners, will focus on getting at-bats and acclimating to his new team on the back fields. He hit .265 with 26 home runs and 76 RBIs for the Mariners last year. Alvarez, meanwhile, is still recovering from off-season surgery to repair a ligament in his right thumb. The Mets limited Alvarez to 76 games last season due to various injuries and are taking a conservative approach to ensure he’s fully healthy for the regular season. He finished the 2025 season hitting .256 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs.
Baty’s Expanding Role
The Mets envision a significant role for Baty beyond just filling in at third base when Bo Bichette needs a day off. President of baseball operations David Stearns has emphasized Baty’s potential to contribute at multiple positions, including second base, first base, and even left field. This flexibility is particularly important given the uncertainty surrounding the left field position, with top prospect Carson Benge competing for the starting job. If Benge isn’t ready, Baty could become the primary option in left, providing a valuable offensive presence. As amny.com noted, Baty showed promising signs at the plate towards the end of last season, slashing .289/.352/.462 over his final 74 games with 10 home runs and 26 RBIs.
The Mets’ cautious approach with these four players highlights a broader organizational philosophy of prioritizing long-term health and development. While fans are eager to see these players in game action, the team believes that a measured approach will ultimately lead to better results over the course of the season. The team is also managing the spring workload of several other players, including Alvarez and Robert Jr., who are both coming off injury-shortened seasons.
The Mets’ spring training schedule continues this week with exhibition games against other MLB teams. Updates on the progress of Alvarez, Robert Jr., Polanco, and Baty will be provided by the team as they move closer to full participation. Fans can locate the latest information on the Mets’ official website and social media channels.
The Mets will continue to monitor the players’ progress throughout spring training, with the goal of having them fully healthy and ready to contribute when the regular season begins. The team’s success in 2026 may well depend on the health and performance of these key players.
The next update on the players’ status is expected following the Mets’ first week of exhibition games, with manager Carlos Mendoza likely to provide a more detailed timeline for their return to game action. Stay tuned to time.news for continuing coverage of the Mets’ spring training and the team’s preparations for the 2026 season.
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