Mets scratch Smith from 1st spring game for late arrival

Dominic Smith was initially slotted into the New York Mets' lineup for their spring opener against the Atlanta Braves, but it didn't last.

The young first baseman told reporters that new manager Mickey Callaway scratched him from the lineup as a disciplinary measure for arriving late, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.

Smith, who is expected to be competing for the Mets' starting first-base job, said he blames himself for the move.

"We're professionals at the end of the day. In any job ... if you don't show up, you get disciplined or you have to pay the consequences."

In his place, the Mets are giving the reins to 23-year-old Peter Alonso. He's the team's fourth-best prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

Smith's place in the the Mets' depth chart already seemed in jeopardy after the team signed Adrian Gonzalez, and reports surfaced that he was likely to take over as the starting first baseman.

Smith struggled during his first taste of major-league action in 2017, batting .198/.262/.395 while striking out in 26.8 percent of his plate appearances. He did hit nine home runs over 49 games, and was generally successful in Triple-A (.330/.386/.519 with 16 home runs in 114 games) before his call-up.