3 more unplanned NY Mets Opening Day surprises we're about to see come true

Opening Day is baseball’s version of a plot twist—when fans think they’ve got the script figured out, the story takes a turn. The cast of characters breaking camp rarely matches the preseason projections, and this year is no different. When the New York Mets signed Clay Holmes as a starter in December, most assumed he’d settle somewhere in the middle of the rotation, not take the ball on Opening Day. And that might not be the last surprise.

Due to injuries and stellar performances this spring, David Stearns seems ready to deliver a few more eye-opening moves when the Mets take the field on March 27th. Here are three surprises we could see when the 2025 season kicks off.

1) Where will we find Brandon Nimmo

After grinding through plantar fasciitis in 2024, Nimmo was finally on track to be near full strength when the Mets kicked off the season in Houston. But just as things were looking up, a knee flare-up after his first spring training start threw a curveball into the plan, putting his spot in left field in doubt. Now, with Nimmo’s status suddenly uncertain, David Stearns is left doing what every good GM does in March, shuffling the deck and turning to Plan B.

In his return to the lineup on March 13th and 15th, Brandon Nimmo was slotted in as the DH, a move that keeps his bat in play while giving his knee some extra rest. But if Nimmo can’t patrol left field come Opening Day, the Mets have a logical replacement in Jesse Winker. The veteran outfielder made 70 starts in left last season between the Nationals and Mets, and he’s been swinging a productive bat this spring, posting a .296 average, .424 OBP, and .832 OPS over 27 at-bats.

When Mendoza submits his lineup on Day 1, expect to see Nimmo as the DH, positioned between Alonso and Vientos, with Winker roaming left field under the Crawford Boxes.