WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – As a former All-Star coming out of a disappointing season reduced by health issues, Dellin Betances could be the most studied Mets reliever in the camp.
The right-hander struggled in his grapefruit league debut last week, but showed improvements on Monday, when he allowed an unbeaten run in the fourth inning of the Mets ’9-5 display loss against the Nationals.
“I felt like I was attacking the strike zone mostly today,” Betances said, the fast ball was mostly in the 90-92 mph range, with a tone that reached 94. “It’s something I have to keep going. do it and make sure my releases are more consistent. “
Betances allowed a double to Starlin Castro before Alex Avilia got a ground in the change that should have been the third. But JD Davis threw it, which allowed him to score the race.
Training last spring, Betances was returning from a torn Achilles and might not be ready if the season started on time. He missed most of September after straining a lat.
“I like his stuff better than last season,” said a major league talent appraiser. “I think their speed will increase on opening day.”
Carlos Carrasco launched a simulated game in Port St. Lucie and will launch for the first time in an exhibition match this spring or early next, according to manager Luis Rojas. The Mets will send Taijuan Walker to the mound on Tuesday for their first show, and Jacob deGrom is scheduled for Thursday, after a blank day on schedule.
Dominic Smith started at first base, the first time he played a position this spring, as Rojas seeks to gradually increase his activity. Rojas indicated that most of Smith’s action this spring will hit the left field, which seems to become his main position in the absence of a universal DH.
The pitcher Jordan Yamamoto mistreated Juan Soto’s ground in the first inning for an error, which resulted in the two runs (without winning) that scored against him during the day. The right-hander threw three innings and allowed three hits and a walk. Yamamoto competes for fifth place in the Mets rotation with David Peterson and Jonathan Lucchesi, among others.