Mets Open up Summer Camp

After much anticipation, baseball is back!

The New York Mets officially opened their summer camp to players on Friday. Jacob deGrom and Seth Lugo were back throwing at Citi Field, while hitters like Wilson Ramos took some cracks at the dish.

Dellin Betances and Jeurys Familia tried to see who’s arm held up better through the break, as they were throwing gas while playing catch with on another.

Anthony DiComo photographed reliever Drew Smith on the field during workouts, as the 26-year-old is trying to come back from Tommy John surgery that kept him off the field all last season.

While players worked out with smiles on their faces as baseball was finally being played, the safety precautions that are being taken remain a constant reminder of the overlying circumstances that have kept this season postponed up to this point.

Players remained six feet apart as they went through their workouts, while coaches and other staff members all wore masks. Batting practice took place one at a time, with only hitting performance coordinator Ryan Ellis standing behind the cage.

A luxury fan area in right field called the “Honda Clubhouse” has been retrofitted to contain stationary bikes for players to work out.

After each round of drills and hitting, Mets staffers wiped down and disinfected all the baseballs before play could resume.

Brodie Van Wagenen was seen on the field speaking with deGrom and also with fellow executive Omar Minaya, but he did so standing well further than six feet apart for them. He also was pictured using one of the various hand sanitizer stations that have been placed around the field.

Beat reporters were allowed to cover the workouts, but all while being socially distant, conducting interviews through Zoom conference calls.

Ramos spoke with the media after the morning workouts, being the first player to speak to them in this new fashion. The catcher talked about being excited to play baseball again, but also noted the strange circumstances of this return.

Having to stay socially distant from teammates and trying to communicate with his pitching staff are all new challenges for the catcher. Ramos, Tomas Nido and Rene Rivera were all present for the morning workouts and will likely be tasked with more work than others, as they try to get their pitchers ready for the season.

On a personal note, Ramos left his family behind in Florida, as he felt it was safer for them to remain at home. Ramos has three children, the youngest of which was born just six months ago. While it was tough leaving his newborn son and the rest of his family behind, Ramos explained that the kids have a pool and a park nearby in Florida, making it a better environment for them to be in.

According to Joel Sherman, there were around 30 players, coaches and team personal who arrived at 9 a.m. for today’s morning workout. The team has been split into three groups, with an afternoon and evening crew also being set to get their work in ahead of the season.

It is definitely a new reality to watch how baseball must be played in 2020, but hopefully the net result is games starting at the end of this month.