Carson Benge keeps displaying what Mets like in…
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — What the Mets like about Carson Benge — his bat-to-ball means, stable protection in a number of outfield positions, and general athleticism— was on show again Saturday, as the younger prospect bought his second start of the spring in heart subject and added a hard-hit, opposite-field single in an 8-2 loss to the Astros at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
He’s wanting to win a spot on the Opening Day roster and prior to the sport, supervisor Carlos Mendoza said he’s hoping to have to make “some tough decisions because we’ve got a lot of guys playing well and healthy.”
Benge is doing what he can to make a case for himself.
“He continues to go out there, give good at-bats, play good defense, run the bases, [hit] left-on-left,’’ Mendoza said. “He’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing on his end.”
And his make-up has also impressed the supervisor.
“He’s quiet,’’ Mendoza said. “He’s a baseball guy. He doesn’t get too high or too low. I don’t think the moment is going to be too big for him, which is good for [him]. He goes about his business, plays baseball, goes home, comes back the next day [and] does it again. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned.”
Carson Benge hits during the Mets’ March 13 spring training recreation. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
Mets pitching depth took a blow when Justin Hagenman was positioned on the 60-day injured record with a fractured rib Saturday.
The right-hander suffered the injury during his most current Grapefruit League outing on March 5, although Mendoza said the staff wasn’t sure how, precisely, it occurred.
“After his last outing, he came in and complained about soreness in that area,’’ Mendoza said. “It continued to get worse, we decided to image it and it’s a fracture, unfortunately.”
Mendoza called it “a pretty significant injury. He’s gonna be down for a while. I don’t know the timetable, but he’ll miss some time.”
Hagenman, 29, appeared in 9 video games for the Mets a yr in the past and made one start.
With the six-man rotation healthy, Tobias Myers stretched out, and prospects Jonah Tong and Christian Scott ready in the minors, Mendoza stays comfy with the staff’s depth, though he famous the Mets will miss Hagenman’s versatility.
“You can never have enough pitching,’’ the manager said. “It hurts, losing a guy like [Hagenman] who not only can start, but pitch multiple innings out of the pen. … We’ll miss him.”
Francisco Lindor took live batting follow for a second straight day Saturday, Mendoza said, as the shortstop works his manner back from present process left hamate bone surgical procedure last month.
All has gone according to plan for Lindor to give you the chance to make it back by Opening Day, although president of baseball operations David Stearns has said he’ll doubtless have to play in Grapefruit League video games in order to be cleared.
Asked if Lindor may doubtlessly take that step in the approaching days, Mendoza said, “We’ll see.”
“He continues to really feel good,’’ the supervisor said.
Richard Lovelady, the lefty who’s spent the offseason bouncing between the Mets and Nationals, is back with the Mets, who claimed him off waivers Saturday.
The 30-year-old made 10 appearances in the majors last season, cut up with the Mets and Blue Jays.
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