PORT STREET SEA — Carlos Mendoza was encouraged by how his first rehearsal as Mets manager went on Saturday.
The new coach, who was working with the coaching staff in a game setting for the first time, felt the lines of communication were clear.
“We lost early in the game, but we were still tied to the signing system,” Mendoza said after the Mets lost 10-5 to the Cardinals at Clover Park in the Grapefruit League opener.
Mendoza’s secondary coaches include bench coach John Gibbons, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and hitting coach Eric Chavez.
Mendoza is no novice when it comes to coaching MLB teams through games. He took over as the Yankees’ bench coach 24 times in four seasons after manager Aaron Boone was fired.
So it’s understandable that Mendoza said he didn’t have any concerns on Saturday.
“It’s one of those games where you go through the pregame work and then it’s time for the game to start,” Mendoza said.
Coach Mendoza said he is confident that Shintaro Fujinami will be able to get enough work to prepare for the season despite the disruption to his schedule.
The relief pitcher returned to Japan this week for personal business.
According to officials, Fujinami plans to obtain a work visa that will allow him to play in the Grapefruit League while returning to Japan.
Coach Mendoza noted that the fact that Fujinami is a relief pitcher and does not need to increase his pitch count allows him to be ready for the season sooner than a starting pitcher.
After leaving the Yankees, which bans facial hair other than mustaches, Mendoza wore a goatee in spring training.
“My wife likes it too, so that’s a good thing,” Mendoza said.
The Mets’ starting pitchers for the next two days are Jose Butt and Max Kranik, and the team is considering Tuesday’s bullpen game.
The Mets could begin using pitchers from their projected starting rotation as early as Wednesday.
Along the way, the Mets plan to piggyback on prospects like Christian Scott, Mike Bashir and Dominick Hamel as starters.
Francisco Lindor will conduct a clinic Sunday at Clover Park for 50 children from two local little leagues and the boys and girls club. In addition to teaching the basics, Lindor also talks about the importance of sportsmanship.
