Luis Rojas to miss Mets game today for 'some personal stuff'
Mets manager Luis Rojas said he would not be in the dugout because he had to take care of "some personal stuff," and would be back for Saturday's spring training game. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets manager Luis Rojas missed Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Marlins because of "some personal stuff" that he said required him to be away from the team for most of the day.
Rojas made the announcement from Clover Park at about noon at the end of his pregame Zoom interview session after working at the ballpark in the morning.
"This afternoon, for the game, I’m not going to be in the dugout," Rojas said. "I’ve got to go take care of some personal stuff. But I’ll be back tomorrow for the game."
Bench coach Dave Jauss managed with Chad Kreuter as his bench coach. On Saturday, the Mets are scheduled to visit the Nationals at 6 p.m. at West Palm Beach.
Lindor’s best answer
Francisco Lindor, in a lengthy interview with SI.com, said he is the best shortstop in baseball. It’s unknown if he is making that same pitch to the Mets, who are looking to sign Lindor to a contract extension before Opening Day that could exceed $300 million.
"Overall? Me," Lindor said when asked who was best shortstop. "Because I will do it every single day. I count on myself every single day. Every single day.
"Trevor Story? I love watching him. We talk hitting and defense. The best hands at the shortstop position right now are Freddy Galvis and Andrelton Simmons. Best hitter? When [Corey] Seager is at his level I think he’s the best hitter. If we go tool by tool, plenty of them are better than me. [Fernando] Tatis? He’s incredible. And [Javier] Báez? I’ve been playing against Báez since I was growing up and it’s like, ‘Bro, how are you doing this?’
"There’s that fine balance between being confident and being cocky. Sometimes for me it’s hard to admit to myself who is the best shortstop. Why? Because of that fine balance. I’m confident. I think I’m the best shortstop."
Extra bases
Catcher Tomas Nido was scratched from the lineup just before game time with a left foot contusion suffered on a foul tip during batting practice on Thursday. X-rays were negative. Caleb Joseph replaced him . . . Marcus Stroman allowed one run in 3 1/3 innings in his third spring training start. Stroman, whose spring training ERA is 3.24, allowed four hits, walked one and struck out four . . . Dom Smith played four innings in his first appearance in leftfield and did not have a ball hit to him other than a first-inning RBI single by Jesus Aguilar . . . Fifth-starter candidate Joey Lucchesi pitched two shutout innings with three strikeouts in his first game appearance. Lucchesi had been throwing in intrasquad games.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
