WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Ronny Mauricio languished on the bench for the final six weeks of last season, and the Mets weren’t prepared to let that happen again.
The infielder was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, removing him from consideration for a backup role on the Opening Day roster.
Mauricio played mainly shortstop this spring while Francisco Lindor rehabbed from hamate bone surgery in his left hand.
But Lindor returned in the last week to begin playing in the Grapefruit League, signaling his buildup toward next Thursday’s season opener at Citi Field.
It’s possible the Mets will go without a backup shortstop, instead using Bo Bichette at the position as needed during the season.
“We’re getting to those days where we have to make tough decisions and this was one of them,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “But we said it from the beginning: We need Ronny Mauricio to play and for him right now with everyone — knock on wood — healthy, he needs to go down to get everyday reps.”
Mauricio, 24, produced a .313/.389/.531 slash line with one homer and five RBIs in 13 exhibition games this spring.
Last season he saw extensive action at third base but was squeezed to the bench in mid-August.
He received only 20 at-bats over the final six weeks of the season.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns later said Mauricio was kept on the major league roster to preserve his option for this season.
The Mets would have otherwise lost that minor league option on Mauricio.
Mauricio missed the 2024 season rehabbing from multiple knee surgeries.
“We’re very pleased with how he went about his business what he showed here in camp,” Mendoza said. “Not only he’s healthy, but his ability to play shortstop. He got a lot of reps there and played pretty well, so that is exciting — the fact that he’s playing not only third base, but keeping shortstop as an option.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
