Mets Tauchman Tears Meniscus, Opens RF Path for Benge

New York Mets outfielder Mike Tauchman sustained a torn meniscus in his left knee during a spring training game against the Houston Astros on Saturday, sidelining the 35-year-old veteran and reshaping the team's competition for Opening Day roster spots on March 26 at Citi Field.

Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the injury on Sunday after Tauchman underwent an MRI, revealing the need for surgery. Tauchman, who signed a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training in February, had been performing well enough to vie for a place on the 26-man roster. In 13 exhibition games, he batted .241 with a .371 on-base percentage, .448 slugging percentage and .819 OPS, including two doubles, one home run and four walks. The injury occurred during the Mets' 7-5 loss to the Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida, when Tauchman hobbled while running out of the batter's box after a groundout in the third inning and again while chasing a double by Yainer Diaz in the fourth. He left the game shortly after.

"He started feeling discomfort yesterday, and he got to a point where he couldn't do it anymore," Mendoza said. "The trainers kind of knew right away when he came out,...