WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Haydensenger has been reaching this consideration in the major leagues after spending seven years with the Mets organization, so he doesn't think he'll wait a few more days to learn big things about his fate.
The 27-year-old stayed in the mix for his team's backup catcher job after Francisco Alvarez had surgery earlier this month for a broken hamate bone in his left hand. Senger and Jakson Reetz are the remaining candidates for the camp.
“I've been with this organization for a while and I think they know I'm a good catcher,” Senger said Wednesday. “I think they know I'm working on my own blows, but that's been improving over the years.”
Senger showed his strong arms in a pick-off play at One Base on Monday.
He owns a minor league career .685 OPS as a hitter, but manager Carlos Mendoza is not looking for an attack from his backup catcher. Louis Torrens will be the starter until Alvarez returns – he is on his May schedule.
“Feedback from pitching coaches as well as pitching staff [on Senger] Mendoza said.
Mendoza brought in the entire “A” team on the road to head to the Astros at Cactus Park in Palm Beach.
The lineup included Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Mark Bientos, Brandon Nemo, Sterling Marte, Torrence, Brett Batty and Tyrone Taylor.
Was that the prelude to the lineup for the first day with the Astros next Thursday?
“We still have to get through the next six games,” Mendoza said. “But hopefully a lot of these faces are playing their first game in Houston.”
Dedoniel Nuñez reported that he was in good spirits on Tuesday, the day after his first appearance on Grapefruitregue this spring. Jose Bato also reported that he was fine after pitching for the first time since suffering from discomfort in the gro caliber.
Mendoza has shown that despite limited action this spring, Nuñez may still be ready for the first day.
The Mets took it slowly with Nuñez, who was closed down by forearm tension last season.
“We need to protect him, right?” Mendoza said. “Can he go, for example, two out of three? [days] Look outside the gate…and the other people who will become part of that bullpen. Because it's difficult to carry as many people as you have to take care of. ”
Most notably, team officials are monitoring AJ Minter, who is returning from hip surgery.
