Mets Trim Roster, Option Ronny Mauricio as Spring Training Heats Up

The New York Mets have made significant cuts to their spring training roster, opting to send infielder Ronny Mauricio and right-handed pitcher Joey Gerber to Triple-A Syracuse. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Mike Baumann and left-handed pitcher Brandon Waddell have been reassigned to minor league camp. These decisions come as Francisco Lindor prepares to reclaim his position as the Mets’ Opening Day shortstop, making these moves somewhat expected.

Last season, Mauricio logged 184 plate appearances at the major league level, but struggled with a batting line of .226/.293/.369, resulting in an 88 wRC+ and a modest 0.7 fWAR. After starting his previous season in St. Lucie due to a knee injury that sidelined him for the entirety of 2024, he quickly climbed the ranks to Binghamton and Syracuse during his rehabilitation. In a brief stint with Triple-A, he showcased his potential, hitting an impressive .515/.564/.818 over 39 plate appearances.

Despite this promise, Mauricio encountered challenges with inconsistent playing time in the majors. The Mets’ decision to option him appears to be beneficial for both the player and the organization, allowing him to gain valuable daily experience as the 2026 season begins.

Gerber, who spent the entirety of the 2025 season with the Rays, primarily pitched in Triple-A, where he posted a 6.09 ERA and a 4.94 FIP. His performance in the majors was limited, but he showed flashes of potential in a small sample size.

Baumann is looking to re-establish himself in the big leagues after a tumultuous 2024, during which he pitched for five different major league teams, followed by a stint in Japan where he totaled 15.0 innings. His career ERA stands at 4.95 with a 4.59 FIP over 167.1 innings in the majors.

Waddell, who made eleven appearances for the Mets last year, performed better in the big leagues compared to his time in Syracuse. The 31-year-old finished the season with a 3.45 ERA and a 4.54 FIP over 31.1 innings as he returned from a three-year period pitching in Korea. With these roster moves, the Mets continue to shape their team as they gear up for the upcoming season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.