PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mickey Callaway sent a message early in his first camp as the Mets' manager on Friday, disciplining first baseman Dominic Smith for showing up late. Originally scheduled to start at first base in Friday's Grapefruit League opener against the Braves, Smith instead sat on the bench while prospect Peter Alonso started.
"It shouldn't happen," Smith said. "It's not acceptable in any locker room, no matter if it's the Mets or wherever you play. It's not acceptable. That's why I'm not in there today. It won't happen again."
Initially, Mets staffers did not give a reason for the scratch.