JUPITER, Fla. — The Mets’ double-play combination is finally getting together, albeit only in drills.
Marcus Semien in recent days has begun taking ground balls alongside Francisco Lindor, as the Mets shortstop rehabs from hamate bone surgery in his left hand.
“It’s exciting to see him joining us for defense, and hearing that he is swinging the bat — it’s impressive to be at the point he’s at right now,” Semien said.
Lindor is on a progression the Mets are optimistic will land him in the Opening Day lineup.
Semien, who arrived in a trade with Texas during the offseason to play second base, is looking to build familiarity with Lindor.
In the meantime, he’s getting exposure to Ronny Mauricio, a strong possibility to begin the season at shortstop if Lindor isn’t ready.
“Ronny is 6-foot-4 and moves like a very good shortstop,” Semien said. “I think we have a great coaching staff that identifies things he needs to work on immediately. Just taking double-play feeds from him, and little tips that either me or Francisco give him to keep him sharp.”
Luis Robert Jr.’s initial start this spring in the Grapefruit League is slated for Thursday against the Cardinals.
The Mets have been slow-playing the outfielder’s spring, limiting him to minor league games every other day in attempt to keep him healthy.
“He’s in a good place right now and you just watch him take batting practice and the way the ball comes off his bat is just different,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Our goal is to keep it on the field. If he stays on the field, it could be special.”
David Peterson has been pushed back a day to start Tuesday against the Cardinals in Port St. Lucie.
Mendoza said the switch was made after deciding there wasn’t a need to pitch the left-hander on the fifth day after only one exhibition start.
Brandon Waddell will start against the Marlins on Monday.
Freddy Peralta is scheduled to face the Yankees on Sunday at Clover Park.
Luke Weaver was slow in returning to the mound after sliding into first base to record an out, but remained in the game to complete the fifth inning.
“A lot went through my mind,” Mendoza said when asked about his level of relief that Weaver was uninjured. “But that’s who he is, he’s an athlete, a competitor and when they are out there the game is going to dictate, but it wasn’t a good feeling.”
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