The New York Mets are getting set, like all 30 MLB teams, to begin spring training exhibition games this weekend. They will take on the Miami Marlins on Saturday, Feb. 21. New York will serve as the home team, which takes place at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.
Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza recently spoke with the media ahead of the team’s first spring training exhibition and announced that Brandon Waddell will get the first start in Saturday’s Grapefruit League action. Waddell pitched with the Mets’ big-league club in 2025, but still appears to be fighting for his spot on this current Mets roster.
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Brandon Waddell to Start First Mets Spring Training Game
As Mendoza announced today, 31-year-old Brandon Waddell will start the Mets’ first spring training game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday.
Waddell came up to the big leagues in 2020 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but had not pitched in more than 10 innings before the 2025 season.
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After a few years being out of MLB, Waddell landed with the Mets last season and posted a 3.45 ERA with New York over 31.1 innings. He struck out 22 batters in ’25 and walked 11 hitters in those 30+ innings.
It’s unclear how long Brandon Waddell will be stretched out in the first spring training game, but the Mets are likely going to run out a lot of arms over the course of ST.
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Other Spring Training Notes from Mets Camp
The biggest piece of news out of the New York Mets spring camp is that Francisco Lindor is dealing with a hamate bone injury, but he’s optimistic he’ll be ready to go for Opening Day.
From Mendoza’s press conference, Francisco Alvarez, Jorge Polanco, and Luis Robert Jr. will have their workloads managed early in camp and won’t jump into game action right away.
Other news includes Brett Baty easing into camp after experiencing right hamstring discomfort about two weeks ago. He’s taking ground balls and hitting, but will gradually ramp up running and outfield work.
It’s spring training, so Carlos Mendoza and the rest of the coaching staff are going to ensure that their top players are eased into action, but in that same breath, for players like Brandon Waddell, these spring training innings will be crucial in determining their role on the 2026 roster.
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