PORT ST. LUCIE — Drew Smith started hearing from the Mets even before last season ended, and by late December it was clear to him he would be returning to the organization.
His free agent deal became official in recent days, with the 31-year-old reliever receiving a one-year contract from the team with a club option for 2026.
Smith is rehabbing from a second Tommy John surgery and may not pitch this season, but spoke Monday of his relief that he will be around familiar faces as he returns to health.
“I didn’t want to sign with a new team and then have to integrate into a new training staff and people I didn’t know and that was a big part of it,” Smith said at Clover Park. “They really wanted me back, which I felt grateful for just from being here for so long and building those relationships.”
Smith, the longest-tenured Mets pitcher (he arrived in the 2017 trade with the Rays for Lucas Duda), wouldn’t rule out the possibility he will return this season — he underwent his surgery last July — but said he won’t push it.
The right-hander said he just started playing catch last week.
“I hate to put a timeline on things, just because I have been through this once and I know how difficult it is,” Smith said. “If everything goes great, we’ll see where we are by the end of the [season], so that is kind of what I am hoping.”
Joey Meneses (who is having problems obtaining a work visa) was the only player still missing from camp, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
The first baseman from Mexico is expected to report Tuesday on a tourist visa. He will be allowed to work out, but can’t play in games until his work visa is issued.
Team owners Steve Cohen and Alex Cohen were in camp Monday – their special guest was 1970s pop icon Tony Orlando (who grew up in Chelsea and referenced to The Post his meetings with former Mets managers Casey Stengel and Gil Hodges).
Steve Cohen is expected to answer questions from reporters on Tuesday.
