The Mets announced a series of roster cuts today. Most importantly, an infielder Ronny Mauricio optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. They also chose the right hand Joey Gerber while pitchers are not listed Brandon Waddell again Mike Baumann reassigned to minor league camp.
Mauricio’s departure could be a clue as to what other moves the Mets will make to round out their Opening Day roster. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that third player Bo Bichette will play shortstop tomorrow with a chance for the Mets to start the season without a backup shortstop on the bench.
Bichette has been a career stopper until recently. He finished the 2025 season on the injured list and missed the start of the Blue Jays’ run. The Jays worked him into the World Series despite clearly not being healthy, then had him split his time between second base and designated hitter.
Even before that knee injury, Bichette was considered a solid defensive shortstop, so a move from the position felt inevitable. The Mets signed him this winter to add his bat to the lineup, even though they already had one Francisco Lindor again Marcus Semien as their midfield tandem. Bichette will be a regular third baseman but could serve as a de facto backup shortstop. Lindor is recovering from hamstring surgery but is expected to be ready for the Opening Day lineup.
Perhaps Mauricio’s demotion is a sign that the Mets are truly comfortable with that arrangement. The domino effect of that situation is that they can inspire hope Carson Benge again and again Mike Tauchman.
The Mets appear to have three of their four bench spots locked up. Backup handler Luis Torrens you will have one. A cornerback Mark Vientos he must have another. Tyrone Taylor projects as a fourth outfielder. All three of those guys have no choice. Mauricio made sense as the fourth guy on the bench but now he’s out.
Throughout the season, president of baseball operations David Stearns said Benge will have a chance to make the team. As a safety net, they signed Tauchman to a minor league deal as well MJ Melendez with a separation agreement. Melendez has an option and was sent down earlier this week. Benge has done his part to earn the spot, posting a .406/.472/.500 line this spring. Tauchman was making the team’s decision difficult, posting a .280/.419/.520 line.
Tauchman can opt out of his contract on March 25 if he is not on the roster. Considering his life history, he would probably open that section and find work elsewhere. If the Mets want to keep him around, then going with this shortstop scheme would be a way to do that. At the same time, they can give Benge regular right-field work on Opening Day, keeping the Prospect Promotion Incentive opportunity on the table.
If that’s the way they’re going, that might have an effect on others. Utility player Vidal Bruján it is listed but there is no option. The Mets could give him the last spot on the bench since Mauricio was demoted, but that would mean letting Tauchman go. Bruján is likely to be delisted in the coming days.
As for Mauricio, he was once a notable prospect but his progress has been slowed down a bit. He missed the entire 2024 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He returned to the field in 2025 but sat on the bench for most of the year. He appeared in 61 major league games and produced a .226/.293/.369 slash line.
Selecting him in the minors would have the benefit of getting him regular playing time, something he hasn’t had in a long time. However, he only has one option for the rest of the season. If he sits out at least 20 days, he will be out of options in 2027.
Photo courtesy of Sam Navarro, Imagn Images
