Former Mets News & Notes
- Former Mets pitcher Matt Bowman is now slated to make the St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day roster due to reliever Jordan Walden battling a shoulder issue. Bowman was selected by the Cardinals in this past December’s Rule 5 Draft, and had been highly questionable to make the Opening Day roster until Walden’s latest shoulder setback. Bowman is required to be on the Cardinals 25-man roster for the entire 2016 season or be returned to the Mets, unless a trade is able to be worked out. Bowman can’t be put on the disabled list until he has been an active roster member for 90 days. The 25-year old right-hander holds a 7.88 ERA in 8 innings pitched this spring, and is ranked as the Cardinals 21st best prospect by MLB.com.
- Former Mets closer Bobby Parnell who had been released by the Tigers earlier in the week, has agreed to a minor league deal to stay with the Tigers. Parnell will report to Triple-A Toledo with the hope of receiving a call-up later this season. Parnell had an 8.68 ERA this spring in 9.1 innings pitched, but has been clocked as high as 96 mph in Grapefruit League action. The Tigers believe if Parnell can get better command of his pitches he could pitch for them at the big league level this season.
- Yankees manager Joe Girardi had stated on air during today’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, that former Mets right-handed pitching prospect Luis Cessa has made the team out of Spring Training. Cessa was originally included with right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer to the Detroit Tigers, in the Yoenis Cespedes trade at last year’s Trade Deadline. Cessa was then traded by the Tigers this offseason to the Yankees for left-handed reliever Justin Wilson. Cessa will pitch out of the bullpen for the Yankees, and has a 2.70 in 10 innings pitched.
Above The Mendoza 