Tyron Taylor's offseason began with not one, but two surgeries.
The outfielder underwent umbilical hernia surgery in Phoenix on Oct. 30, followed by right elbow free body removal surgery in New York on Thursday, the Mets announced Friday.
The club says the average return to play time for these procedures is approximately two months, meaning if all goes well, Taylor's spring training will not be affected.
Still, the only player on the Mets roster currently comfortable playing center field still needs to recover from two surgeries on his core and pitching elbow.
Harrison Bader is a free agent.
The outfielders on the Mets' 40-man roster are Taylor, Brandon Nimmo (team president David Stearns said he is likely to remain in left field), and Starling Marte (who played most of last season in right field). Jose Azocal (a September waiver pick who can play defense but has never hit in the majors) and promising player Alex Ramirez (who posted a .590 OPS at Double-A Binghamton). .
The Mets have a pair of top prospects who can play center in Jett Williams and Drew Gilbert, both of whom are expected to be ready by the start of the season.
Free agents are scarce in center field, and Bader is probably the best option in a group that includes Quique Hernandez and Michael A. Taylor.
The Mets could seek additional depth on the trade market, as they did last winter when they acquired Tyron Taylor from the Brewers.
The 30-year-old Taylor was a valuable No. 4 outfielder, and more than that, he started most of the time at center in October, and he did just about everything well, but didn't produce anything that stood out. .
He had a league-average OPS of .701, seven home runs, and 11 stolen bases in 130 games, playing solid defense at all three outfield positions.
They are expected to recover by spring, but the Mets will keep an eye on the center field market.
This week, the Mets signed right-hander Rico Garcia to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league camp, the Post confirmed.
MLB.com first reported the development.
Garcia, a 30-year-old native of Hawaii, has pitched for five teams over parts of four major league seasons and has a career 7.32 ERA in 30 games.
He spent this past season with the Nationals' Triple-A club, posting a 3.94 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 61/3 innings and 20 saves.
The Mets have signed right-hander Dylan Covey to a one-year major league contract, claimed right-hander Kevin Hargett off waivers from the Brewers, and are starting to add relief options.
