Pregame notes on Davis, Britton, roster, Rodriguez and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis will go from leadoff hitter today at Ed Smith Stadium to playing Monday afternoon in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park.

Manager Buck Showalter is going to find ways to get Davis more at-bats now that the Orioles first baseman is able to play without discomfort in his right forearm/elbow.

A few other players will join Davis at the minor league complex for Triple-A and Double-A games, including catcher Caleb Joseph and perhaps outfielder Colby Rasmus.

Showalter wants to keep Davis busy as long as there are no setbacks.

"I want to see how he feels after today," Showalter said. "We're thinking tomorrow over there, but let's see how he feels today and tomorrow morning. We'll play it by ear, but all indications are that he should be able to go. But we felt that same way about (Mark) Trumbo, too."

Closer Zach Britton ran on a treadmill today after shedding the protective boot.

"Zach looks good," Showalter said.

The Orioles will make two cuts today, the first coming prior to the start of the game. The camp roster will be down to 40 players.

Showalter said he'd obviously be able to pick 25 players for the opening day roster if the deadline arrived today, but the workout at Camden Yards isn't held until March 28.

"You could have done it the day you got here, but you would have been wrong probably," he said. "It's one of those things, you haven't showed all of your cards in meetings, so to speak, how everybody feels. I think that's coming up. I know Dan (Duquette) is trying to pick a day now where we get together and kind of gather everybody's feelings.

"You could do it anytime. I've already done it. If you can give me those lists, I'd appreciate the help."

Outsiders could infiltrate camp and influence the roster.

"This time of year, other teams are having to make decisions and some people have outs in contracts. We have some coming up before too long," Showalter said. "The landscape changes daily now as we're starting to get toward the end."

The bullpen remains unsettled and includes left-hander Joely Rodriguez in the competition.

"He's confident and has done it before, but it hasn't been consistent at the big league level," Showalter said. "The thing that's gotten him in trouble is the walks. Talking to some of the people in Philly that I trust, they wanted to bring him back. There was a lot of debate back and forth.

"You always wonder if he can carry over what he's doing here into the big league pitcher. If you look at the track record, it's been a challenge for him at that next level, but for what reason? And at 26, 27, have they figured out some things?

"I know Roger (McDowell) has worked diligently with him and looked at a lot of things in the past and talked to him, so he's an interesting guy. Stuff-wise you know it's there. It's just a matter of, can you trust him? What you're trying to do is project trust this time of year. Who can you trust to bring what they've brought down here in the spring because it's a whole different venue once you get up there."

Chris Tillman starts Monday against the Tigers' Michael Fulmer in Lakeland and Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. starts Tuesday night against the Rays' Nathan Eovaldi in Sarasota.

For the Mets
Brandon Nimmo RF
José Reyes 2B
Wilmer Flores 1B
Travis d'Arnaud C
Jose Lobaton DH
Phillip Evans 3B
Juan Lagares CF
Amed Rosario SS
Matt den Dekker LF

Noah Syndergaard RHP