PORT STREET LUCIE — Zach Short spent much of the winter hoping he never heard back that the Mets were leaving him.
On Sunday, he received a call in the manager’s office telling him he was on the team’s opening day roster.
The 28-year-old infielder will begin the season as a member of the Mets’ bench after team leaders decided to option Mark Vientos to Triple-A Syracuse.
The standout shortstop from Kingston, N.Y., and University of the Sacred Heart was placed on waivers by the Tigers in November, but thought she would be selected after the Mets signed veteran infielder Joey Wendle.
“when [Wendle] I signed it, I could almost see the writing on the wall,” Short said. “Joey and I were joking about that just recently. After that, I never got a call, but day by day I’m going to spring training and getting out on the field and seeing what I need to do.” let’s.”
Short learned that his maternal grandmother had passed away on Sunday, just hours before he was told he had been selected for the team.
“It’s been a crazy morning,” he said, adding that his family is “much better now.”
Short grew up in a family divided between Mets and Yankees fans and followed his father’s lead.
That meant rooting for the Mets. Edgardo Alfonzo and Benny Agbayani were two of his favorite players.
Short recalled sitting on the upper deck of Shea Stadium during the 2000 Subway World Series.
Shortstop could serve as a second-half defensive replacement for third baseman Brett Batty, and he said his numbers this spring (.900 OPS) are a testament to the focus on his swing.
“It hasn’t really hit home yet,” Short said of his selection to the roster. “But I think it’s going to be pretty special to drive to Citi Field on Thursday and put on the real jersey for the first time.”
According to Director of Baseball Operations David Stearns, pitcher Kodai Senga is scheduled to start pitching this week.
The right-handed pitcher won’t pitch for the Mets until at least May, but he was unable to pitch early in camp due to shoulder tightness.
Luis Severino finished the Grapefruit League with a 1.29 ERA, allowing one earned run in five innings pitched in the Mets’ 10-1 victory over the Nationals on Sunday at Clover Park.
The right-hander, who has a history of injuries in spring training, said he accomplished his main goal of coming out of camp healthy.
“I’m really happy that I’ve finally found a routine that will keep me on the field,” Severino said.
Severino is scheduled to pitch in the second game of the season.
The Mets traded reliever Austin Adams to the Athletics for cash.
