Here is the latest news and possible return dates for Mets players…
March 1, 12:50 p.m.
Manager Buck Showalter spoke to reporters Wednesday prior to the team’s spring training game and gave updates on a number of players, including Francisco Alvarez (right ankle), Darin Ruf (right wrist) and Starling Marte (core).
Showalter said that Alvarez, who has only appeared as a DH so far in spring training, is “probably going to be available to catch after tomorrow” as he works his way back to full strength after right ankle surgery.
“We’re just being cautious, like we said earlier, same thing, nothing’s changed,” Showalter said. “We targeted where he would catch and he’s right on it… Yeah with his ankle. Everything else is fine. They said it would be a good idea to wait, so we will.”
The manager then updated Ruf’s status as he has yet to appear in a spring training game this year while he recovers from a wrist injury.
“Finalizing the dates on a lot of guys to appear, Ruf’s getting closer,” Showalter said.
He added about Ruf: “Probably after the off day we’ll probably see him… He’s going to probably take some stuff on the back field. But actually appearing in a game, probably be after the off day, could change.”
The Mets will be off next Monday and play the Houston Astros on Tuesday, March 7 at 6:05 p.m.
Showalter then noted that “Marte hit off of Tommy Hunter today,” as he recovers from core muscle surgery in the offseason and is “right on schedule.” The manager would not say which specific day Marte would make his spring debut, as things can change day-to-day.
“On the day that he appears, I’m gonna go, ‘That’s the day,'” Showalter said.
Additionally, Showatler gave an update on RHP Stephen Ridings, who the team claimed off waivers from the Yankees in November. Ridings missed all of the 2022 season due to various injuries, including a lat injury while rehabbing in the minors in September. Showalter said that Ridings has “big stuff” and the team is working on the “same things that the Yankees tried to unlock.”
“Ridings is doing well,” Showalter said. “That’s the one that if somehow we could get him healthy, he’s got a chance to help us.”
He added: “The whole goal is for him to be a healthy pitcher at the end of spring.”
Feb. 26, 4:25 p.m.
Darin Ruf (right wrist) is “getting close” to making his Mets spring training debut after he took batting practice in an indoor cage over the weekend, Buck Showalter said Sunday after New York scored a 6-3 win over the Washington Nationals at Clover Park from Port St. Lucie, Fla.
“Getting close, feeling a lot better every day,” Showalter said of Ruf. “I think you’ll see him in the mix, shortly.”
Ruf, 36, slashed .152/.216/.197 with seven RBI in 28 regular-season games as a Met during the 2022 campaign.
Feb. 23, 10:53 a.m.
Starling Marte, who had core muscle surgery in November, had his first live batting practice session of spring training.
Marte is a bit behind most players in camp, but is seemingly on track to be ready for Opening Day.
Feb. 21, 12:59 p.m.
Designated hitter/first baseman Darin Ruf received an injection in his right wrist due to soreness he was dealing with, manager Buck Showalter told reporters.
Ruf, who was taking grounders at first base on Tuesday, will be limited over the next two or three days but should be good to go shortly, per Showalter.
The 36-year-old right-handed hitter is firmly in the mix to be the DH against left-handers, with Daniel Vogelbach expected to get the bulk of the DH at-bats against right-handers.
Tommy Pham will be another DH option against lefties.
Feb. 19, 1:35 p.m.
Mets outfielder Starling Marte underwent surgery in November to repair a core muscle, leading to questions about whether or not the 34-year-old will be ready for Opening Day.
On Sunday, Marte simply responded “yes” when asked that very question, though both he and skipper Buck Showalter explained that there will be a bit of a longer ramping up period before Marte is ready to play in game action.
“I would expect, haven’t gotten there yet on him, that he would probably be a little bit of a slow go initially,” Showalter said. “But I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of the young kids play, [Alex] Ramirez, especially.”
“At first we’re just going to make sure that we’re strong enough and everything,” Marte said. “We’re going to be in the weight room a lot to make sure that we have the strength there, and then after that we’re going to take the next steps.
“It’s not really a surprise. We’ve been in constant contact all offseason. I’ve flown up to New York, they’ve evaluated me there, they re-evaluated me when I got here.”
Marte explained the surgery was performed to repair tendons on either side of his groin, an injury that he played through for “a better part” of the 2022 season.
“I was actually feeling a discomfort in my legs,” he said, “and when we went to go check it out they said there was a little bit of separation, so we decided to have an operation then.”
“It was bothering me during the season for a better part of the season. It wasn’t something that I couldn’t play through, which is why I did play through it,” he added. “Thankfully, I was able to finish the season and then once the season ended, that’s when we decided to have that operation.”
Marte said he and the Mets are still working on a plan for him as it relates to spring training, but he feels “good” heading into his second season with the club.
