SARASOTA, Fla. – Spring training isn’t the same for Ryan Mountcastle, but he’s trying to make it that way.

The first base job doesn’t belong to him. Pete Alonso is the $155 million reason why Mountcastle’s professional life has changed.

Mountcastle is a survivor. He went from non-tender candidate to owner of a new contract. He’s part of a first base surplus and still on the club. The reflections during his last few games of the 2025 season, when it felt like goodbye, were premature.

It’s hello again.

“I’m treating (camp) the same, just going out there and putting in the work, and wherever the chips fall, that’s what happens,” he said this morning.

“Just gonna be where my feet are at and do what I can do and have a good time with my boys.”

Alonso has played 162 games in back-to-back seasons. Mountcastle won’t find many at-bats at his usual position, and there’s a line at designated hitter.

Mountcastle said he hasn’t spoken with president of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias or manager Craig Albernaz specifically about his usage and the impact of Alonso’s signing on him.

“We had a conversation after I signed the arb deal and said ‘congrats,’” Mountcastle said. “Besides that, nothing too crazy. Just still working out at first and doing whatever I can to help the team.

“I love all the guys here and this is all I’ve ever known. I love it here and whatever happens, happens.”

Albernaz is impressed with Mountcastle’s attitude, saying he’s “been awesome.”

“He is willing to do whatever,” Albernaz said. “He is very focal about that, which speaks to the person he is and the teammate he is. For me, I just told him I want him to be Mounty, right? I don’t want him to try to be anyone else. Just be the best version of Ryan Mountcastle. Focus on him.

“We have not talked about role yet and fit. He’s also here early. We plan on having those meetings when it’s official and everyone’s here. Right now we’re meeting with all the pitchers and catchers, so we will have that sit down and it will be definitely a collaborative approach with myself, Mike (Elias) and Mounty.”

Is Mountcastle surprised to still be here?

“I don’t know,” he said. “I just take it day-by-day. I didn’t try to think too much about it. Like I said, just gonna be here and have a good time and put in the work.”

Mountcastle had a normal offseason in Orlando, attending a bunch of weddings – he’s in that age group – and going through his workouts.

“Trying to get healthy, feel healthy, feel good. Bigger, faster, stronger,” he said.

“Just getting the swing back together and taking all the ground balls I can and just trying to get better.”

The numbers weren’t good through April, when Mountcastle hit .194 with a .541 OPS in 29 games, but he slashed .298/.320/.394 in 23 games in May before suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain. A return in August resulted in a .305/.348/.463 line in 21 games, but he batted .190 with a .522 OPS in 16 games in September and lost playing time to Coby Mayo at first base.

“It was not how we wanted to finish the season,” he said, “but we’re on to the next.”

Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Ryan Helsley, Cade Povich, Brandon Young and Cameron Weston will throw live batting practice on the main field.

Albernaz couldn’t comment on Chris Bassitt, whose $18.5 million deal becomes official after he passes his physical.

Asked about the rotation’s depth, a slick way to work around it, Albernaz said, “I loved it before, too, especially getting to see these guys live up close and personal. We have some real arms and some real upside, and our pitching group is doing a great job of tapping into that potential and getting plans for them to make it actual to go out and win a game.

“Yeah, our depth, it’s impressive and it’s sneaky. Everyone talks about our position player group, but after watching our guys throw, there’s a lot of upside with a lot of our pitchers that aren’t only on the 40-man roster but also guys that are in the minor leagues and getting close.”

Next came the Bassitt question.

“Who?” Albernaz replied with a grin.

Albernaz didn’t dismiss the idea of a six-man rotation.

“I think I’d consider anything. I think all options are on the table,” he said.

“We’re probably going to explore everything, not only if Bassitt is with us. But no, it’s more that we want to make sure we’re putting our players in the best chance to succeed, and a six-man rotation might be an option, or a five-man. It all depends. For us, we’re talking through everything, as we should. We just want to be prepared.”

Albernaz said outfielder Heston Kjerstad is full participant in camp after being shut down last summer.

“With Heston, just like any player, we’re gonna be very mindful of their buildup,” he said.