Mets and Marlins play to a tie to close camp, Justin Verlander gets final tune up, and a deserving pitcher has earned his keep

Mets play intrasquad game today, then set their sights on Opening Day in Miami on Thursday

What’s Up with the Mets? 🌴

• The Mets and Marlins played to a 3-3 tie to close out spring training (Box)

• Justin Verlander got in his final tune up and gave up three runs in five innings

• Brandon Nimmo went 1-for-4 while playing centerfield

• Starling Marte went 3-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI

• Darin Ruf’s woeful spring ended with another hitless game and he finished camp hitting .167 at the plate - he was designated for assignment on Monday

• Tommy Hunter struck out two and finished spring with a spotless ERA

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Roster Moves 📰

• INF Danny Mendick optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

• RHP Jeff Brigham optioned to Triple-A Syracuse

• Mets select contract of OF Tim Locastro

• Mets select contract of RHP Tommy Hunter

• INF Darin Ruf designated assignment

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Today’s Game 🦩

Match-up: Intrasquad game

Where: Clover Park, Port St. Lucie, FL

Starters: TBD vs. TBD

When: 4:10 PM EDT

Tickets are $10 and are general admission, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Christmas 4 Kids. Tickets go on sale at 10 AM today at the Clover Park box office

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Tommy Hunter earned his spot on the team… ✍🏻

There comes a point every spring where teams have to make tough decisions about their roster. Many factors go into making these decisions about which 26 players will hear their names announced on Opening Day. Merit certainly plays a role but when a player has an opt out a team also has to factor that into their decision-making when rounding out their roster. This was the case with Tommy Hunter but the righty undeniably earned his spot in the bullpen after a stellar spring.

The Mets signed the 36-year-old in the offseason to a minor league contract to give them some extra bullpen depth, specifically for the gap they needed to fill in the middle innings thanks to the departure of Trevor Williams to the Nationals. Hunter was originally a welcome signing after he gained popularity with fans in 2021 when he gave a gleeful postgame interview after picking up his first major league hit.

Unfortunately for Hunter, it was a long road back to the majors the following year when he suffered multiple disk herniations in his back which required surgery. He had trouble lifting up his baby son, let alone pitching in a game. He did finally make it back and was effective in the 22 innings he pitched in 2022.

Originally a long shot to make the club out of camp this spring, injuries to others opened up a spot for him and he seized his chance in a big way. In nine innings, Hunter ended his spring with a 0.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts.

Injuries have been the only thing that has held back the righty during his tenure with the Mets. In his two years with the team he has a 1.78 ERA, albeit in a limited sample size thanks to missing so much time with back problems. He has only pitched 30.1 innings over those two seasons and walks continued to be an issue for him over that timespan. However, Buck Showalter has history with him from their time in Baltimore together and he remains easy to root for considering what he had to go through to get back on the mound.

So, the question is, can Hunter stick this time? Can he and the Mets manage what’s clearly a chronic issue with his back to maximize his value and give the Mets that presence Williams vacated?

We shall see, but again, Hunter is a fun guy to root for and can easily emerge as one of those great under-the-radar pick ups for the team if healthy.

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Around the League 🚩

• Anthony Volpe - a top prospect in the Yankees organization - made the Opening Day roster (ESPN)

• The Braves placed RHP Kyle Wright on the injured list to start the season (ESPN)

• The Rays are hopeful SS Wander Franco will be able to play Opening Day after suffering a quad injury (ESPN)

• Aaron Nola and the Phillies will not discuss a possible contract extension until after the season (ESPN)

• A tweet from Amed Rosario sparked rumors that a possible extension could be imminent but he said there is no deal in place with the Guardians (MLB.com)