Outfielder Mike Tauchman pulled himself from a Mets spring training game against the Astros after showing discomfort in his left knee during the middle innings. The Mets lost 7-5 at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Tauchman underwent an MRI, with results pending.
In the third inning of Saturday's spring training matchup at Clover Park, Mike Tauchman hobbled while running out a groundout. He showed further discomfort chasing a double by Yainer Diaz in the fourth. By the fifth, he could not take the field and exited the game, which the Mets lost 7-5 to the Astros in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Tauchman, 35, received an MRI that afternoon. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza commented, 'We've just got to wait and see what we're dealing with and go from there.' He added, 'Anytime you send someone for an MRI, obviously there's a little bit of concern. But we've just got to wait and see what happens. I've been saying a lot can happen before we make the final decisions, and here we are, dealing with an injury.' The timing is critical, with less than a week until Opening Day. Tauchman, signed on Feb. 19, is competing with Carson Benge and Vidal Bruján for two roster spots. Benge has batted .368 in Grapefruit League play, while Tauchman posted one homer, three doubles, four walks and an .819 OPS over 13 games. Tauchman has an escape clause on Wednesday but prior lower-body issues, including right knee meniscus surgery last September.