Spring Training Game Chat: Nicaragua vs. Mets, 1:10 PM
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 • 1:10 PM
Clover Park • Port St. Lucie, FL
It's the World Baseball Classic, and the Mets are gearing up for an exhibition match against Nicaragua. The game is a chance for players to get their reps in after a day off, with the Mets making their first round of roster moves on Monday. The team is led by Mark Vientos, who had a strong 2024 season with a 3.1 bWAR and a 134 OPS+.
The Mets lineup is as follows:
1. Marcus Semien - 2B
2. Jorge Polanco - DH
3. Bo Bichette - 3B
4. Francisco Alvarez - C
5. Brett Baty - 1B
6. Mike Tauchman - RF
7. Ronny Mauricio - SS
8. Cristian Pache - CF
9. Ji Hwan Bae - LF
The opposing lineup features:
1. Chase Dawson - CF
2. Jeter Downs - 2B
3. Ismael Munguia - RF
4. Mark Vientos - 3B
5. Emanuel Trujillo - 1B
6. Omar Mendoza - LF
7. Cheslor Cuthbert - DH
8. Freddy Zamora - SS
9. Ronald Rivera - C
The starting pitchers are RHP Erasmo Ramírez and RHP Jonah Tong.
Game Notes:
- Luis Garcia, Devin Williams, Brooks Raley, and Luke Weaver will pitch today.
- Jorge Polanco is expected to get action in the field soon.
- Nolan McLean, who is suffering from vertigo-like symptoms, will pitch on the backfields on Wednesday and report to Team USA if all goes well.
Three Things To Watch For:
1. Jonah Tong: Tong allowed three runs over 2 2/3 innings in his start, allowing three hits while striking out two batters. He also debuted his new cutter, using it 18 times out of 50 pitches. It's clear he's experimenting, so the results are not as important.
2. Mark Vientos: Vientos, a key player for Nicaragua, had a strong 2024 season with a 3.1 bWAR and a 134 OPS+. He's facing a crowded roster this season, and hasn't started strong in spring training, going 1-for-13 with a double.
3. Jorge Polanco: Polanco makes his spring debut at DH, replacing Pete Alonso. He had a solid season with a 2.6 bWAR and a 134 OPS+, and has the potential for 20+ HR power.
Let's go Mets!
