The New York Mets' Opening Day roster started to take shape as club officials made some significant moves, shedding light on their evaluation of certain players and their priorities for the season ahead. One of the most notable decisions involved prospect Mark Vientos, who was informed that he would start the season in Triple A.

Vientos, a 24-year-old right-handed batter, expressed frustration with the decision, believing he had made the most of the opportunity given to him. However, the recent arrival of J.D. Martinez as a designated hitter essentially sealed Vientos' fate. The Mets could have opted to carry Vientos temporarily until Martinez was ready, but instead, they opted to send him to the minors.

Prior to Martinez's signing, Vientos had been seen as a logical candidate for the DH role and a potential option at third base. However, the Mets decided to go in a different direction, focusing on defensive versatility and player development. Officials cited Vientos' need to improve his strike zone control against right-handed pitchers as a factor in their decision.

The Mets' choice to include Zack Short on the Opening Day roster came as a surprise. Short, a utility player from Kingston, New York and a lifelong Mets fan, has had a career batting average of just .174 in a limited number of at-bats. However, the Mets valued his defensive skills and versatility, along with his changed approach at the plate during spring training, where he showcased improvement in going the other way.

Short's inclusion on the roster also addressed the Mets' desire for a right-handed option at third base, following the injury to Ronny Mauricio, who had been contending for the starting third baseman position.

While the Mets have finalized some roster decisions, there are still several tough choices to be made. One position-player spot remains open, and the Mets are open to the possibility of adding another player as teams trim their rosters. DJ Stewart, a left-handed batter and a potential DH candidate, is expected to join the team, but his status is uncertain. Additionally, the final spots in the bullpen are still up for grabs, with three right-handed relievers competing for two spots.

Mets president of baseball operations, David Stearns, emphasized the importance of balancing the different characteristics and abilities of the relievers to create a diverse and effective bullpen. The team values flexibility and will continue to assess the situation before making final decisions.

The Mets' Opening Day roster will be finalized by Thursday, and it seems that they are prepared for tough choices as they strive to assemble the best possible team for the upcoming season.