Mets minute: Who takes over for Brandon Nimmo in outfield?

All signs, for now, are pointing toward Brandon Nimmo only being available as a designated hitter for the New York Mets come Opening Day.

The veteran left-fielder has been dealing with lingering knee issues, which has limited him to just four spring training at-bats during the exhibition slate.

“Right now, all I know is that we’re trying to progress every day and get a little bit of gain every day,” Nimmo said. “I don’t know what that means for Opening Day right now. I know we’re trying to get the at-bats. As soon as I can get close to 100%, then I can play the outfield. Before that point, it’s going to do more harm than good to try and get out there before it’s ready.

“If you’re not playing near 100%, you’re probably more of a liability [in the outfield].”

Having Nimmo start the season in the DH spot does hamstring the Mets’ roster depth. Both Jesse Winker and Starling Marte were projected to platoon at that spot this season, considering neither veteran outfielder boasts the plus defense that David Stearns or Carlos Mendoza would like.

Jesse Winker Mets home run Game 3 NLDS — Oct 8, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker (3) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Winker played just 12 games (eight starts) in left after being acquired by New York from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline last summer. Marte, who was removed from his natural position in right by Juan Soto, has played just one game in left field since the start of the 2018 season.

Jeff McNeil, who was supposed to be the team’s Opening Day second baseman but has eaten innings in left, is starting the season on the injured list after injuring his oblique.

It forces the Mets to lean on their defensively-sterling center field platoon of Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor to lighten the load in the left. Taylor is the most likely option to shift over, considering he has nearly 600 innings of experience in left compared to Siri, who has just 31.

Perhaps Winker, a lefty bat, and the right-handed Taylor form a platoon in left should Nimmo need time to get his knee to full outfield-playing strength. Regardless of who starts, Taylor becomes the obvious late-inning defensive replacement — a role he likely would be holding at times this season even with Nimmo healthy.