The New York Mets are taking a cautious approach with four key players during early spring training games, manager Carlos Mendoza announced Tuesday. Catcher Francisco Alvarez, outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and infielders Jorge Polanco and Brett Baty will be held out of initial game action as the team prioritizes their health.

Baty is recovering from a right hamstring issue that surfaced a couple of weeks ago, while Robert is undergoing strengthening work to prevent the lower-body injuries that plagued him in Chicago. The 28-year-old Robert, acquired from the White Sox in a trade, hit .223 with 14 homers and 53 RBIs in 110 games last season before a late-August hamstring strain shut him down. Polanco, a free-agent signing from Seattle, will get live at-bats on back fields before game action, and Alvarez is being managed carefully after playing just 76 games in 2025 due to various injuries, including offseason thumb surgery.

The Mets' deliberate approach reflects their investment in these players' long-term availability. Alvarez hit .256 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs before his thumb injury, while Polanco posted a .265 average with 26 homers and 76 RBIs for the Mariners last season. This spring training strategy aims to ensure these contributors are healthy and ready for the regular season.