Port St. Lucy – AJ Minter has taken a conservative approach with his accumulation this spring, but has not lost faith in the possibility of creating a first-day roster.
Arriving on a two-year contract worth $22 million, the left-handed reliever continues to throw bullpen sessions at camp, but remains behind most other pitchers as someone who hasn't yet faced with batting practice. Masu.
Minter was rehabilitating after surgery on his left hip last summer.
“The training staff are excellent. They're not that good at saying no, so it's their job to say no,” Minter said.
Minter said he was only six months after his surgery and slightly ahead of where he had expected in late February.
“It's making us feel better, so we should be smarter and don't push,” Minter said, adding that he was initially given a 7-9 month return schedule.
Manager Carlos Mendoza hopes to mine five or six games this spring.
For now, Minter has the sights of throwing “just a handful” of additional bullpen before considering when to move forward when turning his face in live batting practice.
Brandon Waddell is one of the deep fragments the Mets have brought this offseason. Frankie Montas and Sean Mania's injuries only opened the door wide for Waddell.
He made his first appearance in the US since 2022 during 8-5 loss to the Astros on Tuesday, giving up two unfortunate runs, two hits and walks while pitching one inning.
The 30-year-old Waddell signed a minor league contract with the Mets this offseason after pitching for South Korea and China for the past three years. He pitched last in MLB in 2021 with the Cardinals, and spent time training the following spring.
“That's not true [pitching in America]certainly,” Waddell said Tuesday. “But I'm happy to be back. It's a completely different experience overseas. A big part of my career. …I really enjoyed my time there.”
Kodai Senga will throw several more live batting practices before starting the Grapefruitreug match, Mendoza said.
He is scheduled to pitch live BP on Wednesday. He pitched just 10¹/₃ innings during the last year due to shoulder and calf injuries.
