Mets Notes: Freddy Peralta named Opening Day starter; Francisco Lindor progressing

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke on Friday at spring training.

Here are the key topics he hit...

Freddy Peralta to start on Opening Day

In news that didn't come as a surprise, Mendoza named Peralta the starter for Opening Day, which will take place on March 26 against Paul Skenes and the Pirates at Citi Field.

Peralta makes his first Grapefruit League start on Friday.

The affable 29-year-old has experience starting on Opening Day, including against the Mets in Milwaukee 2023, when he spun six scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking three, and striking out seven. He also got the ball on Opening Day at Citi Field in 2024 while with the Brewers, tossing six innings of one-hit ball while allowing one run, walking one, and striking out eight.

The Mets haven't yet announced how their rotation will shake out after Peralta.

Speaking earlier in spring training, president of baseball operations David Stearns said the club was deciding whether they would open the year with a five-or six-man rotation -- something that will be largely dependent on health. 

Francisco Lindor progressing

Lindor, who is working his way back from surgery for a stress reaction in his left hamate bone, is taking steps toward a return.

That has recently included one-handed swings and strength exercises.

Lindor got his stitches out earlier this week, and Mendoza said on Wednesday that he was roughly two-to-three days away from being cleared to start doing some "impact" activities.

The expectation from the Mets all along has been that Lindor will be ready for Opening Day.

Speaking on Feb. 15, Lindor said he was "optimistic" he would be back by then.