Travis d'Arnaud's left knee appears sound and the Mets fully expect him to be their starting catcher by the end of the 2013 season.

"I feel like I've been playing really well and getting my comfort level back in the box after not playing for so long," d'Arnaud said. "I'm catching well and [my] game-calling [has been good]. I feel like I've been doing pretty well."

D'Arnaud, who is batting .345 in 29 at-bats this spring, is still ticketed to begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. However, he may not be there very long.

"He's close -- real close," said Mets bench coach Bob Geren, the team's catching instructor. "There are no major weaknesses."