JUPITER, Fla. — Luis Severino can’t declare his return until the start of the regular season, when his spring performance is of little value.
But it’s not totally worthless.
After a grueling 2023 spring training with the Yankees spilled over into a grueling 2023 regular season, the Mets’ starters are at least looking to start the spring season very differently.
Severino pitched three scoreless innings against the Marlins on Friday, giving him an encouraging start to his second straight Grapefruit League opener.
Last year, he was a huge failure from the start, giving up 15 runs in 15 innings in the spring before posting a 6.65 ERA in the regular season.
“Every spring, I feel really good,” Severino said after feeling good again and doing well in the 3-1 win over the Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. ” he said. “The problem is maintaining it. … I think we’re moving in a good direction right now.”
Severino wants more than just a different jersey this season. On Friday, he allowed three hits in three frames and mixed in some deep pitching with four strikeouts. His four-seamer reached 97 mph.
His changeup froze Josh Bell for the final strikeout. His slider looked strong, although it was a different, harder slider than the one he threw last season as he tried different grips and different shapes on the field.
“The fact that he was throwing cutters at 94, 95 was good to watch,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.
Severino said he wasn’t too concerned about the result, as he had pitched five scoreless innings in the Grapefruit League.
He’s just focused on working on his pitches and the process is going well.
“It’s good that he’s getting results,” Mendoza said of Severino, who signed a one-year, $13 million contract. “But the most important thing is how he bounces back every game.
“He’s doing well so far, so I’m looking forward to watching him pitch in the future.”
The Mets cut six players from major league camp, most notably a reliever who made an impression.
Left-hander Nate Lavender, who pitched two perfect innings and recorded four strikeouts in the Grapefruit League, was transferred to minor league camp. With about 12 relief pitchers still competing for the remaining two spots in the bullpen, the long battle to get a left-handed pitcher on the opening day roster has come to an end.
The Mets can option him to the minor leagues without putting him on waivers, but that doesn’t apply to several other candidates, so it’s almost certain the 24-year-old won’t make the team.
But Lavender always impressed with his high-volume high-90s fastball that eluded batters, and his long extension and release point show why he had such a high strikeout rate in the minor leagues.
“He has faith,” Mendoza said. “He’s not afraid to attack hitters and that’s what stood out. He’s got his day off now and he has to continue preparing for the season. I’m excited for him. .”
Lavender will likely start the season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he had 67 strikeouts in 44 innings last year.
Other roster moves: Outfielder Taylor Coleway and right-hander Chad Smith were reassigned, outfielder Alex Ramirez to Double-A Binghamton, right-hander Grant Hartwig and left-hander Josh Walker to triple-A Optionally chosen by A.
Joey Lucchesi doesn’t mind that he hasn’t made his Grapefruit League debut yet and feels like he’s on schedule.
The left-hander arrived at camp “a little later,” Mendoza said Thursday, making the build-up process a little longer than other starters vying for a rotation spot.
Lucchesi was scheduled to pitch for the first time in Wednesday’s spring game, but the game against the Astros was canceled due to rain.
Instead, Lucchesi pitched roughly two innings in Thursday’s Red and White game.
Even if that inning wasn’t in the Grapefruit League, “I have my inning,” Lucchesi said. “So I feel pretty solid right now.”
Lucchesi said he feels “really, really good” physically. He is vying for the rotation spot vacated by the injured Kouhiro Senga with top prospects Tyler Megill and Jose Butt.
Edwin Diaz faced four batters in his second game in the backfield, but the last one was because he made quick work of the first three, and “it felt good,” Mendoza said.
If Diaz bounces back well, he could make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday or Tuesday.
Jeff McNeil hasn’t been able to swing since experiencing soreness in his left bicep last week, but he played five innings as a fielder and ran base in a minor league game.
McNeil plans to resume his swing on Saturday.
