Severino continues strong spring

A month into spring training, the Mets are answering some questions.

The Mets beat the Houston Astros 6-5 on Wednesday night at Clover Park. The final score didn’t matter but the individual results did. Mark Vientos hit a home run, Tyrone Taylor continued his solid spring and Luis Severino had another strong start on the mound. The Mets also got scoreless outings from four relievers.

With less than two weeks left, the roster is starting to take shape.

Brett Baty and Vientos continue to battle for roster spots, with the two of them engaged in a battle for third base. Baty was scratched from the lineup late with back tightness and he’s considered day-to-day, but manager Carlos Mendoza said he expects him to be back in the lineup Thursday.

Former Mets third baseman J.D. Davis remains on the market after the debacle with the San Francisco Giants, but the Mets’ resistance to bringing in outside help shows that they’re still planning on prioritizing at-bats for Baty and Vientos during the regular season.

Vientos played third base Wednesday, going 1-for-3 with two runs, a walk and a home run. He’s hitting .206 in Grapefruit League play and is likely in line for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Zack Short has played well defensively this spring, but Joey Wendle is still the projected utility infielder. Wendle went 2-for-2 with a run scored Wednesday against the Astros, starting at second base.

Severino went four innings, limiting the Astros to one run on two hits and striking out three. He walked none, which was a positive indicator for a pitcher who struggled with command last season. Jake Meyers hit a solo home run off the former Yankees ace in the top of the second.

It was the first run given up by Severino this spring. Through nine innings, he’s allowed five hits (1.00 ERA), has not allowed a walk and has struck out eight hitters.

Severino said his rhythm with catcher Omar Narvaez was strong and that he felt good for four innings.