Ramirez, Tonkin make the Opening Day roster
NEW YORK — There were no surprises when the Mets announced their 26-man Opening Day roster Thursday afternoon, and only one injury. Right-hander Sean Reid-foley will start the season on the 15-day injured list with a right-shoulder impingement, which meant the Mets chose Yohan Ramirez as their last man in the bullpen.
Reid-foley, Ramirez and Michael Tonkin, all right-handers, were vying for the last two spots in the bullpen. The Mets had previously indicated that Tonkin would be in the group because of his strong Grapefruit League performance (no earned runs allowed in 7 ⅔ innings) and his ability to pitch multiple innings.
Ramirez also had a strong spring with a 1.80 ERA over 10 innings and a 0.900 WHIP. With a sinker/slider combination, Ramirez keeps the ball on the ground and has historically been good against right-handed hitters (.181 career opponent average).
Reid-foley was shut down from throwing after experiencing some arm fatigue in the final weeks of camp. However, he and the Mets both insisted that he was healthy, and he made a scheduled appearance in a split-squad Sunday, allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk.
Reid-foley, a 28-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, came to the Mets in the Steven Matz trade in 2021. He missed much of the 2021 and 2022 season with injuries, but pitched well for the Mets last season in limited action after being called up from Triple-a.
Ramirez and Tonkin join right-handers Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino and Drew Smith, and left-handers Brooks Raley and Jake Diekman.
The team informed DJ Smith Wednesday that he made the team. He’ll be used as an outfielder, backup first baseman and left-handed designated hitter. J.D. Martinez, who signed a free-agent contract last week, will be the right-handed DH after he goes through his spring progression in Port St. Lucie. The Mets are expected to option him in order to place him in extended spring training. Outfielders Brandon Nimmo, Harrison Bader, Starling
Marte and Tyrone Taylor all set to the season healthy.
Infielders Zack Short and Brett Baty were told they were making the roster last weekend. The Mets are carrying two utility infielders in Short and Joey Wendle, adding to a group headlined by Francisco Lindor, Jeff Mcneil and Pete Alonso.
Left-hander Jose Quintana will make his second-career Opening Day start and his first for the Mets on Friday when the team hosts the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:40 p.m. Right-hander Freddy Peralta will start for Milwaukee. Following Quintana will be Luis Severino, and Tylor Megill, who could potentially pitch against his brother, Brewers’ right-hander Trevor Megill.
Sean Manaea and Adrian Houser will make their Mets debuts against the Detroit Tigers next week.
Senga status:
The Mets have finalized plans for the roster, the weather and Kodai Senga’s rehab.
Senga was one of the first players on the field for the Mets on Wednesday during the team’s preseason workout. The ace played catch in the outfield for the second time this week throwing to his translator, Hiro Fujiwara. It might not be much right now, but it’s one step closer to a return to competitive action.
Senga, who has been sidelined since the second week of spring training with a mild strain of the posterior capsule in his right shoulder, was cleared to start throwing last week but the Mets wanted him to pass their internal strength tests before they allowed him to start a throwing program. He passed and the Mets allowed him to start throwing Monday in Port St. Lucie while the team was in Tampa for an exhibition game against the Yankees.
“Right now he’s on an every-other-day schedule, so today was his second day,” said manager Carlos Mendoza.
The throwing program is the first part of his build-up. Having been in the early parts of his spring progression, Senga will still need about another month to get game-ready, and he will likely need a rehab assignment as well. However, he reported no pain or discomfort after his last throwing session so he can continue progressing on schedule.