Mets Notes: Postion players still in mix for roster spot, Jorge Polanco's learning opportunity at 1B

Mets  manager Carlos Mendoza spoke after the team's 5-3 loss to the Astros on Saturday afternoon and touched on a number of topics... Position players still in the mix for Opening Day The Mets made a few decisions regarding the Opening Day roster in recent days. They laid out their five-man starting rotation to start the season, which doesn't include Sean Manaea .

Instead, the southpaw will begin the regular season in the bullpen as a piggyback to the starters. New York also optioned right-hander Austin Warren to Triple-A -- along with Kevin Herget and Robet Stock. Warren was in the mix for a bullpen spot.

But how about the position players? The big story heading into camp was who would start in right field. Prospect Carson Benge seemingly had the inside track and has backed it up with a big spring, but veterans like MJ Melendez and Mike Tauchman were competing for a spot.

Melendez was optioned earlier this week, and Tauchman exited Saturday's game with knee soreness. He'll undergo an MRI. Although Mendoza didn't have an update on Tauchman, the Mets skipper was asked whether Benge's spot is all-but-assured with this latest development.