NY Mets spring training update: First SP, Brett Baty’s health, Luis Robert Jr. plan

We’re getting closer and closer to the first day of New York Mets spring training games. Players and coaches have talked daily, answering a lot of softball questions. Some actual clarity on different roles, plans, and updates on health occurred on Tuesday, giving us a variety of Mets spring training updates worth gobbling up.

What's going on at Mets spring training?

Brandon Waddell gets the first start of 2026

Carlos Mendoza confirmed it’ll be Brandon Waddell getting the ball on Saturday to begin spring training games. The lefty leftover from last year appeared in 11 games, started 1, and had a 3.45 ERA.

Waddell was DFA’d this offseason, but after passing through waivers, accepted a minor league assignment. His roster placement for the coming year will have him battling for spot starts or maybe an irregular role as a longman out of the bullpen similarly to how he was used last year. No longer optional without passing through waivers again, there will need to be some thought into when the Mets use him.

Waddell worked primarily as a starting pitcher last year in the minors. His 5.02 ERA made it an easy call to clear his roster spot and not even consider him for a major league role. The start in the spring’s first game is quite different than last year when the Mets went with Clay Holmes.

Brett Baty is fine, but it may take a few extra days

We’re not going to see Brett Baty in right field quite yet. A slight hamstring tweak will sideline him to start spring training. It sounds like they’re going to take it easy on him and a few others.

Along with Baty, the Mets are planning to keep Francisco Alvarez and Jorge Polanco out of action. It’s understandable. There’s no reason Alvarez needs to get battered in February. Polanco has spent enough time in the majors where live in-game action won’t do him much good.

Polanco should have more than enough time to figure out first base which is the biggest question for him coming into this season.

The Mets have a plan for Luis Robert Jr. 

Luis Robert Jr. will spend more time stretching and strengthening than playing actual games. Keeping him healthy will be crucial for the Mets this year. The training staff has taken over.

A hamstring injury in late August knocked Robert out for the remainder of the 2025 season. His career has been derailed regularly due to IL stints, some preventable and others more fluky. Calf raises, Nordic curls, and maybe some hot yoga are on his schedule for the next couple of weeks.