Spring Training Split-Squad Game Chat: Rays vs Mets and Mets vs Marlins

Monday, March 17, 2025 • 1:10 PM
Clover Park • Port St. Lucie, FL
RHP Mike Vasil (0-1, 8.22) vs. RHP Griffin Canning (1-0, 0.00)
WPIX

How are the Mets going to round out their rotation? Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning could all find themselves in the rotation when the Mets break camp in about a week. Megill had his first rough start of spring on Sunday, allowing four runs from six hits over five innings. Blackburn will make a start on the road for the Mets today, while Griffin Canning looks to continue his strong spring at home.

The Mets are playing their fourth and fifth games this afternoon in 48 hours. They’re off on Tuesday and start their final push for the regular season on Wednesday. Roster battles are about to come down to the wire!

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Brandon Nimmo – LF
3. Jesse Winker – DH
4. Luis Torrens – C
5. Jose Siri – CF
6. Brett Baty – 2B
7. Joey Meneses – 1B
8. José Azocar – RF
9. Luis De Los Santos – 3B

Opposing Lineup

1. Taylor Walls, SS
2. Jonny DeLuca, CF
3. Josh Lowe, RF
4. Ben Rortvedt, C
5. Bob Seymour, 1B
6. Tanner Murray, 2B
7. Kameron Misner, LF
8. Jamie Westbrook, 3B
9. Jake Mangum, DH

Game Notes

• Before Monday’s game, the Mets made the following roster moves. The following players have been reassigned to minor league camp: INF Luis De Los Santos, LHP Anthony Gose, INF Joey Meneses, RHP Sean Reid-Foley and C Chris Williams. 44 players remain in major league camp.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Griffin Canning. Over five 1/3 innings, Canning has allowed three hits, one walk and struck out seven while shutting out opponents this spring. He’s pitched so well that he is starting to pop up on deep sleeper fantasy baseball articles. He also made slightly viral news a few days ago, dodging a line drive while being interviewed in the Mets dugout. Is Canning another David Stearns steal?
2. Dedniel Núñez. Núñez makes his 2025 spring debut this afternoon! He had a breakout year for the Mets in 2024, pitching with a 2.31 ERA, 172 ERA+ over 35 innings spread over 25 games. A flexor strain shut him down for the second half of the season, and he’s been progressing slowly this spring. Today’s outing is a major hurdle to see if he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
3. Mike Vasil. A year ago, we would be writing about how we’re excited to see Mike Vasil pitch for the Mets. The Mets left Vasil unprotected in the Rule 5 Draft, and he was selected by the Phillies, who traded him to Tampa Bay for cash. He has struggled so far this spring, allowing seven runs from 12 hits over 7 2/3 innings. The Rays also selected Nate Lavender from the Mets. Both players must stay on the 26-man roster throughout 2025 if the Rays want to keep them.

Monday, March 17, 2025 • 1:10 PM
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium • Jupiter, FL
RHP Paul Blackburn (1-1, 6.23) vs. LHP Ryan Weathers (1-0, 1.23)
MLBN

The Mets and Marlins both have some interesting decisions to make today. After this game, both teams will meet again on Sunday, March 23. The Mets will then head to Miami for their second series of the year on March 31. Then, the Marlins visit Queens on April 7 for another series. The Mets and Marlins had a similar situation in 2023, where they ended spring training against each other and then faced off in two series over the first two weeks of the regular season.

Mets Lineup

1. Starling Marte – DH
2. Juan Soto – RF
3. Pete Alonso – 1B
4. Mark Vientos – 3B
5. Tyrone Taylor – CF
6. Luisangel Acuña – SS
7. Donovan Walton – 2B
8. Alexander Canario – LF
9. Hayden Senger – C

Opposing Lineup

1. Dane Myers – LF
2. Kyle Stowers – RF
3. Connor Norby – DH
4. Matt Mervis – 1B
5. Derek Hill – CF
6. Eric Wagaman – 3B
7. Nick Fortes – C
8. Javier Sanoja – SS
9. Ronny Simon – 2B

Three Things To Watch For

1. Paul Blackburn. Blackburn is competing for the last spot in the rotation. After Sunday’s game, Mike Puma reported the Mets are leaning towards keeping Blackburn in the bullpen. Blackburn still needs to be stretched out coming back from injury. So we’ll be watching today to see if the Mets continue to stretch him out and if the Mets decide to keep anything hidden from Marlin pitchers.
2. Luisangel Acuña. The injuries to the Mets infield are creating openings for both Brett and Luisangel. Luisangel is 7-for-31 this spring with only one extra-base hit, slashing .226/.250/.258. He’s made the most of his time on the base paths with three stolen bases.
3. Alexander Canario. Canario is one of the major roster question marks heading into the last week of spring training. If the Mets do not put him on the active roster they are going to need to sneak him through waivers. So far this spring he has gone 3-for-25 at the plate with a double and three walks (.120/.214/.160)

Let’s go Mets!

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