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Carlos Mendoza Shares Unfortunate Injury Update at Mets Spring Training
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- Carlos Mendoza Shares Unfortunate Injury Update at Mets Spring Training
New York Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza announced on Sunday that outfielder Mike Tauchman has a torn meniscus that will require surgery, according to Max Goodman of NJ.com. The injury has ended what had been a quietly impressive spring for the 35-year-old veteran. There is no timetable for his return.
Tauchman was seen limping while jogging out to his position during Saturday's game against the Houston Astros . He exited the game soon after, and today Mendoza confirmed the worst.
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It's unfortunate for Tauchman, as he was performing well in spring to earn a roster spot with the Mets. He signed with the Mets on Feb. 19 on a minor-league deal with a spring training invite and proceeded to slash .241/.371/.448. with one home run and six RBI in 13 games. As a left-handed hitter, Tauchman would have provided the Mets' heavy right-handed lineup an important weapon against right-handed pitching.
Despite attending camp as a non-roster invitee, Tauchman appeared to have a strong chance of breaking camp with the club as a fifth outfielder.
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Tauchman, Carson Benge and Vidal Brujan had been battling to make New York's roster, with Benge seemingly having taken the lead given strong numbers this spring. Had Tauchman stayed healthy, both outfielders likely would have been included on the Opening Day roster anyway.
Instead, Tauchman's spring will end with needing surgery, his second meniscus surgery in under six months. He tore the meniscus in his right knee last September and underwent a similar operation while with the Chicago White Sox . In 2025, Tauchman hit .263/.356/.400 with nine home runs and 40 RBI in 93 games, establishing himself as a reliable veteran presence before the injury.
The news opens the door fully for top prospect Benge. The 23-year-old ranks No. 2 among the Mets' prospects and had been putting together a great spring as well with 14 hits and a .889 OPS across 13 games, and is likely to be the Mets' starting right fielder, although Mendoza said a decision has not been made.
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New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64)© Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
With Tauchman sidelined, the Mets face a roster construction decision. Brujan, the 28-year-old switch-hitter with infield versatility, and left-handed bat Jared Young are the leading candidates to fill the vacancy. New York could also look at options elsewhere as roster finalize across the league in the days before Opening Day.
The Mets open the 2026 season Thursday at Citi Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates without one of the veteran presences they were counting on to anchor their bench.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
