Here's where Mets' roster stands right now

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Midway through Spring Training, the Mets have busied themselves gushing over Pete Alonso’s line-drive homers and Noah Syndergaard’s 99-mph fastballs. The talent on the roster is plain to see, and the roster itself is starting to take clear shape. But issues remain. With a little more than three weeks until Opening Day, here’s a snapshot of where things stand:

Catcher (3): Wilson Ramos, Travis d'Arnaud, Devin Mesoraco
What changed? Injuries elsewhere on the roster have created flexibility for the Mets. They could use their newfound roster space to keep around a hot hitter such as J.D. Davis. Or they could hang onto a non-roster invitee such as Mesoraco, who has an out in his contract. Three factors are at play here: the front office values catching depth; all of the Mets’ top three catchers are injury prone; and as a bonus, Jacob deGrom enjoys throwing to Mesoraco. As such, there’s plenty of incentive for the Mets to carry three catchers.

First base (2): Pete Alonso, Dominic Smith
What changed? It appears unlikely (albeit possible) that Todd Frazier’s strained left oblique will be fully healed by March 28, opening the door for the Mets to take both of their promising young first basemen north. So far in Grapefruit League play, Alonso and Smith have been the team’s best two hitters. If that continues into late March, it would be difficult for the Mets to justify starting either at Triple-A Syracuse.

Second base (1): Robinson Canó
What changed? Not a thing. If the Mets have their way, Cano will stay healthy enough to start 140-plus games at second base, with a cast of others filling in only on occasion.

Third base (1): Adeiny Hechavarría
What changed? This doesn’t necessarily mean Hechavarria will start at third base, but injuries to Frazier and Jed Lowrie increased his chance to make the team. If neither Frazier nor Lowrie is ready to go by Opening Day, Jeff McNeil is the most likely candidate to start at third, with Hechavarria backing up both him and shortstop Amed Rosario. More on McNeil in a bit.

Shortstop (1): Amed Rosario
What changed? Nothing, save for a brief scare when Rosario was hit by a pitch on his left hand. X-rays were negative, and Rosario, who’s enjoying a hot spring, should be just fine to retain his position as the Mets’ everyday shortstop.

Outfield (4): Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Juan Lagares, Keon Broxton
What changed? It’s status quo in the outfield as well for the Mets, who will break camp with these four barring injury. Lagares and Broxton may feature overlapping skill sets, but the Mets value having two athletes of that caliber on their bench -- particularly given Lagares’ injury history. If McNeil is in the infield on Opening Day, Lagares is likely to start in center.

Utility (1): Jeff McNeil
What changed? The Mets’ plans to use McNeil exclusively in the outfield may not even last a month. If Frazier and Lowrie both remain sidelined into mid-March, the team intends to convert McNeil back to the infield, where he would profile as the Opening Day starter at third base. Should one of those two heal ahead of schedule, McNeil would start in left field, with Lagares shifting back to the bench.

Starting pitcher (5): Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, Jason Vargas
What changed? To the relief of the Mets, nothing. Rotation health is paramount on this roster, and so far, the starting five have been healthy. Of the Mets’ depth options, Corey Oswalt and Hector Santiago have pitched the best this spring, though neither has a chance to break into the rotation without an injury elsewhere.

Relief pitcher (7): Edwin Díaz, Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo, Justin Wilson, Robert Gsellman, Luis Avilán, Hector Santiago
What changed? Our first projection had the Mets carrying eight relievers, but with three off-days interspersed amongst the team’s first 10 games, a seven-man bullpen seems more apt. The first five names here are mortal locks, barring injury. The sixth, Avilan, has pitched himself into near-lock status. That leaves one spot for Santiago and more than a half-dozen other realistic hopefuls. Santiago’s early spring success, plus the fact that he has multiple outs in his contract, give him the edge for now.

In projecting the Mets’ Opening Day roster, the health of Frazier and Lowrie is everything. Those two still have time to be ready, but the clock is ticking. For now, here’s a condensed snapshot of what the roster may look like without them:

CATCHERS
Wilson Ramos
Travis d’Arnaud
Devin Mesoraco

INFIELDERS
Pete Alonso
Dominic Smith
Robinson Cano
Amed Rosario
Adeiny Hechavarria

OUTFIELDERS
Michael Conforto
Brandon Nimmo
Juan Lagares
Keon Broxton

UTILITY
Jeff McNeil

STARTING PITCHERS
Jacob deGrom
Noah Syndergaard
Zack Wheeler
Steven Matz
Jason Vargas

RELIEF PITCHERS
Edwin Diaz
Jeurys Familia
Justin Wilson
Seth Lugo
Robert Gsellman
Luis Avilan
Hector Santiago

INJURED LIST
Yoenis Cespedes
Todd Frazier
Jed Lowrie