Mets Daily February 12, 2026

The Lindor gut-punch (with a clock attached): Francisco Lindor had surgery for a stress reaction in his left hamate bone. The working timeline is about six weeks, and the Mets are still talking like March 26 (Opening Day vs. Pirates) is on the table.
The Soto shuffle is official: Juan Soto is moving to left field as part of the Mets’ run-prevention obsession. That opens right field auditions immediately.
Bullpen depth, the quiet kind: The Mets acquired lefty reliever Bryan Hudson from the White Sox for cash, and moved Reed Garrett to the 60-day IL as the roster counter.
Pitchers and catchers energy is here: The camp storylines are loud early, mostly because the roster is new, the expectations are nasty, and the “run prevention” theme is not subtle anymore.

Juan Soto, on position changes: “If you want me to pitch, Mendy, I’ll pitch.”
David Stearns, on Lindor’s timeline: “We’re optimistic… he’s going to be ready for Opening Day.”
Kodai Senga, on his spring goal: “To not get injured.”

Nationals added innings with Miles Mikolas on a one-year deal. Washington is basically buying “adult supervision” for a young rotation.
Marlins snagged lefty reliever John King on a one-year deal. Smart, boring, necessary.
Braves did some spring cleaning, reacquiring Brett Wisely and making space with a 60-day IL move for Joe Jiménez.
Phillies keep circling the drama drain with Nick Castellanos trade chatter getting louder.
Orioles signed Chris Bassitt to stabilize the rotation. Former Met, still a problem when he’s locating.

Braves: If “depth” had a personality, it would be this week’s transactions. Useful pieces, zero glamour.
Marlins: Quietly building a functional bullpen, which is annoying in the way a mosquito is annoying.
Phillies: The Castellanos situation has “this ends awkwardly” written all over it.
Nationals: Mikolas gives them innings and a heartbeat. The upside is low, the floor matters.

February 12, 1992: Keith Hernandez showed up on Seinfeld in “The Boyfriend.” Mets history, TV history, and a reminder that New York will always be weird.
Mets fans still quote that episode like it happened last week. That’s how you know it hit.

Soto + defense chessboard: Soto posted -12 Outs Above Average last season in right field. The Mets moving him to left is a clean “reduce the damage” decision, not a panic button.
The Lindor production you’re trying not to lose: Lindor went .267 with 31 HR and 86 RBI in 2025, and he basically never comes off the field. The whole point of spring now is buying time without bleeding wins in March.
The Mets’ new identity is showing: Multiple position swaps are happening at once (Soto to LF, Bichette to 3B, Polanco to 1B). This is the front office screaming “run prevention” without using the words every sentence.