The quartet trims the team's roster even further with Opening Day just a week away.
The Mets have optioned Wilmer Flores, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Matt den Dekker, and Zach Lutz to minor league camp. All four players figure to begin the year with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s.
Flores saw some time at shortstop in spring games and reportedly handled himself fairly well at the position, but perhaps the Mets want him to get more work there in the minors. Wherever he plays in the infield, Flores will see regular playing time in the minors and likely would not in the majors unless he were capable of playing short on a regular basis.
Nieuwenhuis and den Dekker, both left-handed hitters vying for a spot in the Mets' outfield, were very good at the plate in spring training games. With their demotions, Eric Campbell, Andrew Brown, and Lucas Duda—if he doesn't win the first base gig—remain in the mix as bench outfielders.
Lutz had a very good spring at the plate, but with Josh Satin having shown on-base ability in the big leagues last year, it always seemed a long shot that Lutz would overtake his role on Opening Day.
