Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed what had been a foregone conclusion for quite a while: Carson Benge has made the Opening Day roster and will be New
Mar 13, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge returns to the dugout against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed what had been a foregone conclusion for quite a while: Carson Benge has made the Opening Day roster and will be New York’s starting right fielder come Thursday at Citi Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The organization’s No. 2 overall prospect lived up to early expectations placed on him by president of baseball operations David Stearns, who said throughout the winter that Benge would have a shot at making the big-league club out of camp. In 41 Grapefruit League at-bats, the 23-year-old batted .366 with an .874 OPS, five RBI, and a stolen base. “It’s a moment that he’ll never forget, and as a manager, after delivering some tough news the past few days, sending guys down to the minor leagues, it’s a big day for the organization,” Mendoza said. “Kid who gets drafted in 2024 and two years later, here we are giving him the news that he’s going to be playing in the big leagues for us… He earned it. He had a hell of a camp, and we’re all excited to watch this kid play.”While Benge’s making the roster became abundantly clear midway through spring training, it was confirmed when veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman suffered a torn meniscus on Saturday, ultimately ending the competition for the starting right-field duties. The Oklahoma State product catapulted through New York’s minor-league system last year, starting in High-A ball with the Brooklyn Cyclones and ending in Triple-A Syracuse. Across 116 games at three different levels, heHe is expected to be the franchise’s right fielder of the future and just one of the intriguing storylines within the Mets’ outfield. Juan Soto made it clear this spring that he wants to chase down Shohei Ohtani and win the NL MVP award while moving from right field to left. In center field, New York is taking a gamble on the oft-injured Luis Robert Jr., who hit 38 home runs in his last fully healthy campaign in 2023. Tyrone Taylor will serve as a fourth outfielder with Brett Baty offering utility services at multiple positions, including right field.Joe Pantorno has been the executive sports editor of amNewYork since 2020. He covers the New York Mets and is a member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America . He is also a member of the Pro Hockey Writers’ Association and has covered the New York Islanders for nearly a decade. His previous stops include Bleacher Report and Metro New York, while his work has been featured in the New York Post, Newsday, and Yahoo! Sports.Mets notes: Francisco Lindor still on track, Carson Benge not a definite for Opening Day roster‘You Got Older’ gets a second chance at the newly reopened Cherry Lane TheatreA Living Canvas: Adrian K and the alchemy of art, appetite, and atmosphere at Pinky SwearGay City News
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