PORT ST. LUCIE — Mike Tauchman’s bid to secure a spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster may have hit a snag.
The veteran outfielder departed Saturday’s 7-5 exhibition loss to the Astros with left knee discomfort and was to receive an MRI exam, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
Mendoza added that it was unclear if Tauchman’s injury was related to his collision with the right field fence early in the game.
Tauchman appeared uncomfortable after the play, and in the following inning, stopped in pain as he left the dugout.
“He felt something and just came back in and went inside with the trainer, so I am not sure how it happened,” Mendoza said.
Tauchman’s status is among the final decisions the team is facing in finalizing the 26-man roster for Opening Day.
Tauchman, Carson Benge, Vidal Brujan and Jared Young are essentially the four position players that appear in the mix for two roster spots. The Mets also have one bullpen spot open.
“We don’t know what we’re dealing with, but anytime you send somebody for an MRI there is a bit of a concern,” Mendoza said. “But we have just got to see what happens.”
Benge, the organization’s top position player prospect, could be the team’s starting right fielder.
The Mets have Tyrone Taylor as a backup outfield option, and Tauchman has battled for a job — potentially as the starter if Benge isn’t added to the roster.
If the Mets keep five outfielders, they would begin the season without a backup shortstop beyond Bo Bichette, who could move over from third base if needed.
Francisco Alvarez returned to the lineup after leaving Thursday’s game with back tightness.
Jonah Tong, on loan from minor league camp, allowed three earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings against the Astros.
The right-hander, who began the spring in major league camp, has pitched to a 7.71 ERA in the Grapefruit League.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
