WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – As a former All-Star who has come through a disappointing season with health issues, Dellin Betances is arguably the most researched Mets-reliever in the camp.
The righthanded struggled in his Grapefruit League-debut last week, but showed improvement on Monday when he gave up an unearned run in the fourth inning of the Mets’ 9-5 exhibition loss against the Nationals.
“I felt like I was mostly attacking the attack zone today,” said Betances, whose fastball was usually in the 90-92 mph range, with one throw hitting 94. “It’s something I have to keep doing and make sure my pitches are more consistent.”
Betances gave up a two-out double to Starlin Castro before Alex Avilia grounded out in the shift that should have been the third out. But JD Davis threw it out to score the run.
Last spring, Betances practice came back from a torn Achilles and may not have been finished if the season started on time. He missed most of September after a crossbar.
“I like his stuff better than last season,” said a Major League talent evaluator. “I think his speed will tap by Opening Day.”
Carlos Carrasco pitched in a simulated game at Port St. Lucie and will pitch for the first time this spring in an exhibition game this week or early next, according to manager Luis Rojas. The Mets will send Taijuan Walker to the mound on Tuesday for his first practice start, and Jacob deGrom is scheduled for Thursday after an empty day.
Dominic Smith started at first base, his first time playing a position this spring, as Rojas wants to gradually expand his business. Rojas indicated that most of Smith’s action will take place in left field this spring, which appears to be his primary position in the absence of a universal DH.
Pitcher Jordan Yamamoto mistreated the grounder by Juan Soto in the first inning for an error, resulting in the two runs (unearned) that scored against him for the day. The righthanded threw three innings and gave up three hits and one walk. Yamamoto competes for fifth place in the Mets rotation with David Peterson and Jonathan Lucchesi, among others.