NY Mets: What to know about where the team stands heading into the weekend – NorthJersey.com

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The Mets are "off" on Saturday in quotation marks because they don't have a Grapefruit League game, but they'll still have a camp day.

They had a crazy week, from Carlos Carrasco's hamstring injury to Dominic Smith's wrist soreness. Even still, they remain optimistic as they head toward Opening Day on April 1.

As the Mets enter the weekend, here are five things to know about where they stand:

Mar 16, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets left fielder Dominic Smith (2) connects for a three-run homerun in the 3rd inning of the spring training game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports(Photo: Jasen Vinlove, Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)

The good news is this: Smith on Friday said his wrist feels "really good." The Mets are holding him out of spring training games as a precaution.

"Like I told (manager)Luis (Rojas), if this were the regular season, I would definitely be out there and pushing through this, but obviously we know its a long marathon and we just want to be smart," Smith said.

Smith took swings in the batting cage on Friday. To be clear: This is a day earlier than the Mets expected him to begin swinging.

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On Saturday, the Mets are planning on having a simulated game. Smith could participate in that, Rojas said.

Will Smith receive enough at-bats to be ready for Opening Day?

"I'm going to be able to get plenty of at-bats over the next couple days," Smith said."I'm sure we'll have a ton of B games. Guys are going to need to throw and I'll be able to take some at-bats over there. I'm not too worried."

And what about playing in left field, which is not his natural position?

"Like I said from the first day I played in the big leagues to now, I feel extremely comfortable," Smith said. "I'm excited just to see my progression over the last couple of years. I'm confident I'll be able to be fine out there in left field. I just can't wait to get out there and play. It's a long season. I'm excited and I'm just ready to go out there and just do my best."

The Mets have raved about their pitching depth.

Now it's time to test it.

Carlos Carrasco suffered a grade 1 hamstring strain confirmed by an MRI, manager Luis Rojas said. His recovery timetable is unknown.

It would seem David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto are fighting for two rotation spots. But Rojas on Friday also lauded Corey Oswalt.

Peterson pitched in the rotation in 2020, his rookie season. He was the Mets' most reliable starter behind Jacob deGrom. Asked if Peterson's prior performance gives him a leg up on the competition, Rojas said:"We feel that Petey is going to be part of our rotation, thinking on a day like today."

If that holds, then Lucchesi and Yamamoto who have both pitched well this spring would be fighting for one spot. But the Mets have remained open-minded in their depth options.

The Mets, Rojas said recently, will not use a six-man rotation. But they're continuing to ponder using an opener on some days, but not for every fifth day.

More: Here's why the 2021Mets' outfield depth looks better than in recent seasons

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Taijuan Walker, who started Friday's 8-5 win over the Cardinals at Clover Park, threw four scoreless innings. He allowed two baserunners one on a hit, another on a walk. But he faced the minimum because he rolled double play balls to erase both runners.

"Everything felt really good," Walker said.

The key forWalker: Continuing to listen to his body.

Walker has only made 15 starts in the last three seasons because he had Tommy John surgery in 2018. He made 11 starts in 2020, but the 162-game season will mean his workload will increase.

Just being smart," Walker said. "I think going out there every day and seeing how my body responds, and getting the treatment when I need it, staying up with my workouts and my arm."

Walker has allowed two runs in six innings of Grapefruit League action. On Sunday, his previous start day, he pitched in a B game on a back field.

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In Friday's win, Mets star Francisco Lindor hit a grand slam. It was his second homer of the spring.

"This is something that he's been adopting because of his work ethic, his God-given abilities, just a mix of that," Rojas said of Lindor's power. "He's stronger than when he got to the big-league level."

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With no designated hitter, the Mets must also prepare their pitchers to hit. They plan to begin that on Sunday, when Jacob deGrom faces the Nationals in West Palm Beach.

Instead of using a DH which is allowed in spring training the Mets will put deGrom in the lineup. Of course, as you may know, deGrom enjoys hitting.

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Justin Toscanois theMetsbeat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to allMetsanalysis, news, trades and more, pleasesubscribe todayanddownload our app.

Email:toscanoj@northjersey.com

Twitter:@justinctoscano

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NY Mets: What to know about where the team stands heading into the weekend - NorthJersey.com