How injured Mets are progressing as spring training approaches

Several recovering Mets players are taking steps forward of varying length.

A.J. Minter is hopeful he can be ready by Opening Day; Ronny Mauricio is progressing (but not sprinting); Dedniel Nunez is throwing and “healthy,” manager Carlos Mendoza said; and Paul Blackburn has returned to a mound.

About two weeks before spring training begins, Minter himself said he is feeling “really good” following hip surgery, and Mendoza offered generally optimistic outlooks for a trio of returning Mets players who ended the season on the injured list.

Minter, speaking publicly for the first time since the Mets signed him to a two-year, $22 million pact, said he has not yet begun throwing from a mound following August surgery that ended his 2024 season early.

The lefty, who spent his first eight seasons with the Braves, was on crutches for eight weeks but said he is now able to do regular activities.

He hopes to be on a mound in the next week.

“I don’t want to put a date on it, but the goal for me personally … is to be ready close to Opening Day,” Minter said from Citi Field for Amazin’ Day on Saturday.

Mauricio missed the entire 2024 campaign after tearing his ACL the previous offseason, and he required a follow-up surgery in late July to remove scar tissue from his right knee. About 13 months after the initial injury, the young infielder is still not running all out.

“We’re going to take it slow with him,” Mendoza said of Mauricio. “This is a guy that missed the whole year last year and had some setbacks, but we like where he’s at physically right now. He’s doing baseball activities. He’s hitting in the cages, he’s taking ground balls. He’s throwing.”

He is in the middle, but not end, of a running progression and will not be sprinting at the start of camp.

This season will be important for Mauricio, a solid prospect who debuted in 2023 and could factor into a competition at third base if Pete Alonso (or another corner infielder) is not added.

Nunez, a revelation last season in posting a 2.31 ERA in 35 innings, missed all of September and October with what the team called right forearm tightness.

Mendoza said the righty has thrown bullpen sessions at the team’s academy in the Dominican Republic and recently completed a velocity program.

“Now we’re going to start building up him again,” Mendoza said.

Blackburn is probably the furthest away of this group.

The righty underwent a cerebrospinal fluid leak repair on Oct. 11, after which the club estimated a 4-5 month timetable for a return.

Mendoza said Blackburn returned to a mound this week but only for light throws.

“He’s progressing well,” Mendoza said of Blackburn, who projects as rotation depth when he is healthy and stretched out.

Francisco Lindor, who was limited by back discomfort late last season, said he feels fine.

“I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Lindor said.

Clay Holmes, who is transitioning from Yankees reliever to Mets starter, reported to Port St. Lucie about a week ago.

“There’s a very detailed throwing buildup all the way to the end of spring,” Holmes said. “Probably start throwing to hitters a little earlier, just to make sure that buildup goes smoothly and things aren’t rushed. The big thing is, I feel like there’s a plan in place.”

Terry Collins recently had breakfast with Yoenis Cespedes, who is 39 and last played in the majors in 2020 (when he opted out of the season after eight games), and reported the former star outfielder “looks great” and still wants to return to the majors and to the Mets.

“He does want to come back,” Collins said. “I told him if anybody can do it, he can do it.”