Following the Mets' 6-6 tie with the Astros in spring training action on Tuesday, manager Carlos Mendoza and the players spoke on a number of topics...
Spring debuts announced
After prospect Jack Wenninger got the start in Tuesday's game, Mendoza was asked who would be taking the mound on Wednesday. The third-year skipper answered that question and offered up his roadmap of starters for Thursday and Friday.
- Jonah Tong will start Wednesday
- Nolan McLean will start Thursday
- Freddy Peralta will start Friday
All three pitchers will get their first live action against another team this spring. Tong is coming off a season where he dominated the minors, but had uneven performances once he was called up late last season.
McLean was arguably the Mets' best pitcher for the final month of the season, and is, by man, projected to be the front-runner for NL Rookie of the Year honors this season. He'll also see his first action with the Mets this spring before eventually joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic, which starts in March.
And finally, Peralta was the big acquisition by president of baseball operations David Stearns this offseason. He'll make his Mets debut on Friday in what could be a preview of what's to come for the ace.
Bo learning from the best?
When Bo Bichette signed with the Mets, he was asked to shift from a SS/2B to third base, a position he's never played professionally before. He's looked solid and has improved in each of the spring games he's played in.
Speaking with SNY's Michelle Margaux on Tuesday, he was asked about how he hopes to get adjusted to the hot corner.
"The game reps are very important. I'm lucky enough to have a personal relationship with some really great third basemen, some of the best to ever do it. Had a lot of conversations with them and see what works for them, and try to figure out what that means for me."
When asked who he has spoken to specifically, Bichette name-dropped Giants third baseman Matt Chapman and the Diamondbacks' Nolan Arenado. That's 15 Gold Gloves between Chapman and Arenado that Bichette has begun to pick the brains of. Bichette said that his father Dante coached Arenado and Chapman was his former teammate in Toronto, so it's been easy to talk to them. The best piece of advice they gave him?
"Make it your own, get low. Don't make it too complicated, just be an athlete," Bichette said. "There's defintely something to that and I'll figure out what every play means to me."
Bo Bichette tells @mmargaux8 that he's chatted with Matt Chapman and Nolan Arenado as he's transitioning to play third base pic.twitter.com/Zct0GSjUd5
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 24, 2026
Mike Tauchman getting an opportunity this spring
One of the few roster battles this spring is who will man right field for the Mets when the season begins.
A lot of hype surrounds prospect Carson Benge, but the Mets have signed and invited a few veteran outfielders to fight for the spot, including MJ Melendez and Mike Tauchman.
Tauchman made his case to make the roster on Tuesday, smashing a three-run home run to give the Mets an early 3-0 lead.
After coming out of game, Tauchman was asked why he signed with the Mets.
"David Stearns and Mendy were very honest and straightforward with me and I appreciate that," Tauchman said. "They said there was an opportunity and also talked about the opportunity to have a normal spring in terms of having at-bats and a chance to get into rhythm with starts and move around a little bit in the outfield….it’s been great. They’ve been true to their word."
"There’s real opportunity to win a spot on our roster for opening day," Mendoza said of Tauchman. "We value what he brings to the table. The defensive versatility, as well as his ability to play all three [outfield positions], his ability to control the strike zone, hit the ball out of the ballpark. We were pretty honest with him…he’s getting a real chance here and we’ll see what happens at the end of camp."
Tauchman is entering his ninth season in the big leagues and has proven to be a solid outfield bat. A season ago, he batted .263 with a .356 OBP to go along with nine home runs and 40 RBI in 93 games playing for the White Sox.
However, with so many eyes on Benge this spring, Mendoza was asked if Tauchman's presence will push the young outfielder and the skipper agreed.
"It’s part of the competition that we have. Not just with Carson but with MJ Melendezin the mix as well. [Tyrone] Taylor, we know the player he can be. It adds to that competition," Mendoza said. "We have a lot of good players there. With Carson, like we said in the beginning of camp, he’ll get a real opportunity, but we’ll see what happens by the end of camp."