Mets designate Alexander Canario and Jose Azocar for assignment on Opening Day
Alexander Canario of the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox in during a spring training game at Clover Park on March 13, 2025. Credit: Getty Images
HOUSTON — The Mets’ Opening Day roster, finalized Thursday before first pitch against the Astros, included no surprises. But the final preseason machinations did include a pair of transactions they didn’t want to have to make: designating Alexander Canario and Jose Azocar for assignment.
Neither Canario nor Azocar could be optioned to the minor leagues and the Mets didn’t have room on the roster for either. So now they can try to find a trade partner or expose them to waivers.
In the Mets’ ideal world, Canario and Azocar will clear waivers and be sent to Triple-A Syracuse to serve as depth. In reality, another club probably will want them, especially Canario, who is 24 and had a strong spring training.
“It’s not always an easy decision when you have to DFA someone pretty much the day of Opening Day,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “You gotta give [Canario] credit, because he had a really good camp. He opened up a lot of eyes, not only here in the organization but 29 other teams. He’s got tools. He’s young. But yeah, it wasn’t an easy one. But we stayed healthy.”
When the Mets acquired Canario from the Cubs in late February, he represented an interesting outfield insurance policy, especially as a backup to Starling Marte, who had been dealing with knee problems.
As Canario said upon joining the team: “They have a decision to make. But they just said for me to focus on doing my job and having fun.”
When Marte prepared for the season just fine, Canario didn’t have a spot.
Azocar, 28, was a waiver claim last September. Although he entered spring training unlikely to make the club, he had another bit role: Juan Soto’s best friend on the team. They played together with the Padres in 2022-23.
Who’s at second?
Luisangel Acuna drew the start at second base over Brett Baty because lefthander Framber Valdez was on the mound, but Mendoza cautioned against assuming a given day’s starter based on the handedness of the opposing pitcher.
“They’re both going to play. I don’t want to call it a strict platoon,” Mendoza said. “If there’s a lefty where we feel good about Baty playing against a lefty, we’ll probably do it. And the same thing goes for Acuna. If there’s a righty where we feel like he matches up well, he’ll get the start.”
Still, Baty should get plenty of opportunity coming up. The Mets will play righty starters for at least the next five games.
Extra bases
Hayden Senger, 27, made his major-league debut when he replaced Luis Torrens in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 3-1 loss. He struck out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning . . . With his seventh Opening Day start, Pete Alonso broke the Mets’ first-base record, snapping a tie with Keith Hernandez and Ed Kranepool.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
