Mets Tidbits:
- Cuban free agent third baseman Yulieski Gourriel held his private workout with the Mets today at the Mets facility in Port St. Lucie. Gourriel who is widely regarded as the best player in Cuba, held a private workout with the Los Angeles Dodgers last week. In 15 seasons played between Cuba and Japan, Gourriel has hit .335 with a .417 OBP, .580 slugging percentage and 250 HR in 5,491 plate appearances. Former teammate and current Met Yoenis Cespedes has heavily campaigned for the Mets to sign Gourriel. It is estimated that the 32-year old Cuban could ask for between $10-11 million annually, and it is unknown if the Mets will meet that price tag. Gourriel posted the picture above on his personal Instagram account today.
- The New York Mets are on the fence as to whether Steven Matz will make his next scheduled start on Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals. Matz who has been examined by a doctor, has no structural damage in the left elbow but is still feeling discomfort. You can imagine the Mets and manager Terry Collins are going to play it safe with their prized rookie left-hander, but we should know an exact status on Matz by tomorrow.
- Manager Terry Collins has indicated before tonight’s game that former shortstop now turned utility player, Jose Reyes will play his final game with the Low-A Brooklyn Cyclones tonight before moving his minor league assignment to Double-A Binghamton tomorrow. It is widely expected that Reyes will spend between 7-10 days in the minors working out at third base and in the outfield before making his return to the Major League roster. In Reyes first action yesterday for Brooklyn he played third base and went 0-3 at the plate with a walk. Reyes is expected to be inserted immediately into the leadoff spot upon his arrival to the Mets.
- In sort-of related Mets news, the Washington Nationals announced that right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito will be recalled from Double-A tomorrow night to face the Mets. Giolito is expected to replace Stephen Strasburg while he is on the disabled list. Giolito is widely regarded as the number one prospect in baseball and is ranked as the number one overall prospect in baseball by MLB.com. The Mets however have faced their fair share of high-end rookie pitchers this year including facing the number two prospect in baseball, Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias.
Above The Mendoza 