After eight seasons with the Yankees, Dellin Betances has adjusted nicely to his new surroundings as a member of the New York Mets. Though the four-time All-Star has yet to throw a pitch in a spring training game in Port St. Lucie for the Amazins’ which has frustrated him, he is making progress and his new manager has noticed.

“He’s on point to how he’s done it in past camps where he’s at this point getting there, velocity getting there and feel for his two breaking balls are there as well,” Mets manager Luis Rojas told the NY Post’s Mike Puma.

This winter, the Mets signed Betances, 32, to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million, betting on his upside if healthy. In his last full season with the Yankees two years ago, he pitched to a 2.70 ERA in 66 appearances. His career numbers are even better as he owns a lifetime 2.34 ERA and 1.043 WHIP.

In 2019, Betances was sidelined with a right shoulder impingement which is no longer a concern. However, when he returned from that injury last fall, he tore his left Achilles tendon and since then, has been undergoing extensive rehab to strengthen his left ankle area. Progress is being made. Betances has faced hitters for live batting practice three times this spring. He expects at least another session this week, followed by a simulated game with base runners before a discussion can occur with team brass about when he’ll be allowed to pitch in a spring training game.

Betances told the Post:

“I’ve been working to move off the mound to field bunts, so I think we are trying to make sure we do all the stuff before I get out to a real game. You have got to listen to these guys, obviously just follow their plan, but I think everything has been good so far.”

There’s still 3 1/2 weeks to go in spring training and Betances feels he’ll be ready for Opening Day despite the fact he hasn’t thrown a pitch in a Grapefruit League game.

“I think we’re right on schedule to get seven or eight games,” Betances told Puma. “If I can get in that, it would be enough games to get ready. I think we’ve got enough time. We’ve got about four weeks, right? I think we’ll be good. There’s no reason [to worry]. I haven’t gotten that indication, so I think for me it’s going to be seven or eight games and that should be good for me.”

Betances, Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo and Justin Wilson provide Rojas with multiple experienced options for late-inning relief and closing. But Diaz and Familia are coming off disappointing seasons, and Wilson was signed as a setup man. Lugo still hasn’t pitched in spring training after fracturing his left pinkie toe but is expected to throw live batting practice Sunday.

So moving to the crosstown Mets has not been an issue for Dellin Betances. He has adapted to his new squad and surroundings nicely and is impressed by his teammates, noting to the Post:

“It’s a tight-knit group, a lot of these guys I enjoy their company, which is always a good thing. We spend a lot of time together and we’ve got a lot of talent in this room, so I think a lot of guys are excited.”

Mets fan are eager to see Betances return to the mound, the better news is that Betances is just as eager to get there.