On Sunday, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that he probably “misspoke” when he provided the mid-March timeline earlier in camp. Mauricio is “close,” Mendoza said, but he won’t be playing in spring games this year. “We’re (going) to continue to take him slow,” Mendoza said."

The top prospect, who impressed in a brief stay in the majors in late 2023, is recovering from multiple knee surgeries that have sidelined him for more than 15 months.