Mets close to settling Opening Day roster: Baty, Kranick, Senger all make team
HOUSTON — With one day to go before the start of the season, the Mets have settled all but one spot on their Opening Day roster. The club has informed infielder Brett Baty, catcher Hayden Senger and relievers Max Kranick and Huascar Brazobán that they will be part of the roster Thursday against the Astros.
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Reliever A.J. Minter will be active as well, making it back for Opening Day despite hip surgery last summer. Right-hander Paul Blackburn, on the other hand, will begin the year on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation that cropped up after his last spring training appearance. While Blackburn will be shut down for seven to 10 days, the Mets believe he'll be back before the end of April.
The last spot up for grabs is likely for a backup infielder. Luisangel Acuña is with the club in Houston and remains the front-runner for the job. New York, however, is still checking to see what other infielders might become available from other organizations before the season opens.
Outfielder Alexander Canario is also with the team in Houston. Canario is out of minor-league options and would have to be designated for assignment if he does not make the Opening Day roster.
'It's really just ensuring we stay open to what might be out there,' president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday. 'This is a highly active time of year; players become available at the last minute before rosters get submitted. We just want to make sure we explore all opportunities.'
Hear how Hayden Senger found out he became a major leaguer 🥹
Full Interview 👉 https://t.co/dn3dCGJ2Rg pic.twitter.com/hqdGZqbaPC
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 26, 2025
The best story out of the group is Senger, the minor-league veteran who is on a big-league roster for the first time. A 2018 24th-round draft pick out of Miami (Ohio), the 27-year-old Senger is in his eighth year with the organization.
'I couldn't get words out, I was so excited,' Senger said about hearing from Carlos Mendoza that he'd made the team. 'All the years I've put in overwhelmed me. I was speechless.'
'It's a good story, but he's not getting the job because it's a good story. He's getting the job because we think he can help us win games,' Stearns said. 'He's worked extremely hard his entire career and has earned the opportunity.'
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Blackburn will join Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Dedniel Núñez, Francisco Alvarez, Jeff McNeil and Nick Madrigal on the injured list to start the season. Stearns said a recent MRI on Montas' lat strain showed 'good healing' and he is a week or two away from beginning a throwing program. Manaea, Núñez, Alvarez and McNeil are all considered short-term absences.
(Photo of Brett Baty: Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
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