According to MLB.com, Jerry Manuel today released a big decision about the Outfield. Instead of having a platoon of Murphy and Tatis in Left, he will now have Murphy be the starting left fielder with the a platoon of Tatis and Church in Right. Murphy has a .400 against Lefties, but that is from 4 hits in 10 AB. Manuel believes because of his hitting skills and work ethic that Murphy will be able to produce regularly against lefties which is why he will have the starting job. Overall last season in the majors, in 131 AB, Murphy posted a strong .313 BA, and also showed a strong sense of hitting.

The other reason why the platoon was switched was Manuel sees overall Murphy doing better against righties and lefties rather than Church against righties and lefties. Of course, if Church produces a strong Spring and strong start, then he will also have a starting job in Right which will make Tatis just a pinch hitter.

Murphy really has been impressing so far this Spring with his work ethic in the 80-pitch drill and if he can produce good results on the field, then this is a good move for the Mets to make. Hopefully Church can return to form before his concussion, and then having Tatis on the bench just as a PH will make the Mets bench that much stronger