WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As Carson Benge vies for the starting right field job this spring — and Brett Baty looks to prove he can play there on occasion, as well — there continues to be a veteran outfielder who has been solid both at the plate and in the field.
Mike Tauchman led off Thursday’s 7-4 loss to the Nationals at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches with a long double and also started the game in left field, again showing the defensive versatility that the Mets believe could make the lefty-swinger valuable.
As the camp looks now, it’s difficult to see a path for both Benge — also left-handed at the plate — and Tauchman to make the Opening Day roster.
But as Carlos Mendoza noted after the game, there remains a long way until the Mets face the Pirates to start the regular season on March 26.
But Tauchman, who didn’t sign with the Mets until late in the offseason, is more than an insurance policy for the team.
“A lot can happen between now and Opening Day,’’ Mendoza said. “[Tauchman] is playing well, too. He can play left field and all three [outfield positions] and give you a quality at-bat. He’s versatile on defense and he’s got pop.”
All of that was on display against Washington, with Tauchman looking to stand out amid the crowd of Benge, Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez.
While Ben Rortvedt got the start behind the plate Thursday against the Nationals, Mendoza made it clear that Luis Torrens would be the primary backup to Francisco Alvarez at catcher this season.
“They’re both going to play and [Alvarez] is going to get the majority of the playing time,’’ the manager said prior to Thursday’s game.
The goal is to keep Alvarez healthier — and more consistent — than he has been in recent years.
Having Torrens on the field regularly will help that cause.
“We have to monitor [Alvarez] and make sure we keep him healthy for 162-plus [games], and Luis is a big part of that.”
The team is also handling Alvarez with care, encouraging him to take things slow this spring in an effort to avoid wearing him out.
“He’s a hard worker and is more mature now,’’ Mendoza said. “Instead of 200 swings every day, maybe you don’t need to take that many. We don’t have to tell him that. He’s learned over the years.”
Nolan McLean reported no issues after his outing on Wednesday and was scheduled to meet Team USA in Houston on Thursday.
The right-hander has had no issues after recovering from vertigo-like symptoms that lingered for several days last week and caused him to drop weight, but he’s on track to start in the WBC against Team Italy on March 10 and again in the finals on March 17, if Team USA advances that far.
Luis Robert Jr., who played his first game of the spring on Wednesday in a minor league contest, bounced back fine and is expected to be in center again Friday for another minor league game as the Mets try to protect the outfielder who has been bothered by lower-body injuries in the past.
— Additional reporting by Jon Heyman in Port St. Lucie