Category: Baseball
Mets Injury Updates:
- The Mets placed outfielder Justin Ruggiano on the 15-day disabled list last night with left shoulder discomfort. Ruggiano had left Friday night’s game early with the discomfort in his shoulder and it has been determined the injury will hinder him for the next 15 days. In what has become another injury blow to the Mets, Ruggiano hits the disabled list less than 10 days after being activated from the disabled list from his hamstring strain. Infielder T.J. Rivera was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Rivera has played eight games in the outfield in the minors this season so he may be an option for the Mets out there as well.
- Yoenis Cespedes is out of today’s starting lineup with a flare up of his quad that previously kept him on the disabled list. While the flare up is considered minor, we have seen how injuries have dismantled this team this season and it will be worth keeping a close eye on. For now we’ll consider Cespedes day to day but anything longer could have serious ramifications for the remainder of the season for the Mets.
- Neil Walker is also out of today’s lineup with a minor back flare up. Walker previously sat four games earlier this month with a back issue, but today’s reported flare up is also considered minor in nature and he is expected only to miss today’s game. However as this has become a reoccurring injury now for Walker, we will also keep a close eye on him and hope it doesn’t end up as something more serious down the line.
- Finally some good news, Steven Matz reportedly felt fine during his scheduled bullpen session today. He will be activated off of the DL, and start Thursday night’s game against the Miami Marlins. Matz who had been dealing with a shoulder strain has not pitched since tossing 7.1 innings of one-hit, shutout ball against the Padres on August 14.
- Last but not least taking Jacob deGrom’s rotation spot on Monday night will be right-hander Rafael Montero. While Montero started the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, he struggled mightily to the tune of a 7.20 ERA in 16 starts. The 25-year old right-hander has turned his season around however at Double-A Binghamton, as he has posted a 1.70 ERA in eight starts.
Lineups: Phillies vs. Mets 1:10 pm et.
Philadelphia Phillies (59-70):
1. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
2. Odubel Herrera (L) CF
3. Maikel Franco (R) 3B
4. Tommy Joseph (R) 1B
5. Aaron Altherr (R) RF
6. Jimmy Paredes (S) LF
7. A.J. Ellis (R) C
8. Freddy Galvis (S) SS
9. Vince Velasquez (R) P
SP: Vince Velasquez RHP (8-6, 4.31 ERA)
New York Mets (66-63):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3. Kelly Johnson (L) 2B
4. Jay Bruce (L) RF
5. Curtis Granderson (L) LF
6. Alejandro De Aza (L) CF
7. James Loney (L) 1B
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Robert Gsellman (R) P
SP: Robert Gsellman RHP (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Today’s game can be seen on SNY.
Lineups: Phillies vs. Mets 7:10 pm et
Philadelphia Phillies (59-69):
1. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
2. Odubel Herrera (L) CF
3. Aaron Altherr (R) LF
4. Maikel Franco (R) 3B
5. Ryan Howard (L) 1B
6. Cameron Rupp (R) C
7. Jimmy Paredes (S) RF
8. Freddy Galvis (S) SS
9. Jeremy Hellickson (R) P
SP: Jeremy Hellickson RHP (10-7, 3.60 ERA)
New York Mets (65-63):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. James Loney (L) 1B
6. Alejandro De Aza (L) CF
7. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
8. Rene Rivera (R) C
9. Noah Syndergaard (L) P
SP: Noah Syndergaard RHP (11-7, 2.61 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on WPIX.
Last Night’s Recap: Mets 9 – Phillies 4
The New York Mets (65-63) defeated the Philadelphia Phillies (59-69) in last night’s opener by the final score of 9-4. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Asdrubal Cabrera had a big game going 2-4 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs.
- Wilmer Flores went 1-4 with a grand slam.
- Jose Reyes went 2-4 with a leadoff HR in the first inning.
- Yoenis Cespedes was 2-4 with two base knocks.
- Bartolo Colon pitched seven innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. He also did it with the bat going 2-3 with a double and 2 runs scored.
The Mets absolutely laid the smackdown on the Phillies last night, and it was something we hope to see more of down the stretch, as the Mets will be playing one of the easiest schedules in terms of team records. The offense came out in full force last night, and the Mets haven’t been able to beat the Phillies as handily as they did last season. The Mets came into last night’s contest 5-4 against the Phillies this season, and they will be seeing the Phillies nine more times this season which makes it crucial that they continue to play well against them. The Mets are currently riding a nice streak as they have won five of their last six games, and the team has really come alive over the past week. This team knows what it will take to get back to the postseason and if they can avoid injury they will make the next few weeks of baseball very interesting.
Here are some impressive numbers for ya: Over the past seven games Asdrubal Cabrera has hit .393 with a .750 slugging percentage. Over his last 12 games Jose Reyes has hit .360. Over Yoenis Cespedes last seven games he has hit .345 with a .724 slugging percentage. And of course Wilmer Flores continues to mash left-handed pitching at a .344 clip with 10 home runs. Those numbers are certainly welcoming for a team that has been deprived of offense for much of the season.
On a side note outfielder Justin Ruggiano did leave last night’s game early with some shoulder discomfort. There is no word as to how the severe the injury is but it certainly is frustrating to see another Met go down with injury. Let’s keep our fingers crossed it is nothing serious as he has been a nice contributor while he has been on the field for the Mets.
- You can catch tonight’s game on WPIX with a 7:10 pm et. start time as the refreshed Mets will go for the series victory against the Phillies.
- The Mets will send Noah Syndergaard (11-7, 2.61 ERA) to the mound to take on the Phillies top starter Jeremy Hellickson (10-7, 3.60 ERA).
Mets Tidbits:
- The Mets activated infielder Neil Walker from the Paternity Leave List and optioned infielder T.J. Rivera to Triple-A Las Vegas. Look for Rivera to be back up with the big league club when rosters expand in September.
- Manager Terry Collins indicated that the Mets are likely to skip Jacob deGrom’s next turn through the rotation which would come on Monday against the Marlins. DeGrom has been dreadful over his last two starts allowing 13 runs combined, and it appears fatigue has set in with the 28-year old right-hander. There is no definitive answer as to who will fill deGrom’s spot in the rotation on Monday, but Logan Verrett, Sean Gilmartin, Gabriel Ynoa, and maybe Seth Lugo on short rest are all possibilities.
- Steven Matz is scheduled to resume throwing prior to tonight’s ballgame, and the Mets will then make a determination if he is ready to be activated off of the disabled list depending on his session. If the Mets brass likes what they see out of Matz, he will in all likelihood make his return Tuesday night against the Marlins.
Lineups: Phillies vs. Mets 7:10 pm et.
Philadelphia Phillies (59-68):
1. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
2. Aaron Altherr (R) LF
3. Maikel Franco (R) 3B
4. Ryan Howard (L) 1B
5. Cameron Rupp (R) C
6. Odubel Herrera (L) CF
7. Freddy Galvis (S) SS
8. Peter Bourjos (R) RF
9. Adam Morgan (L) P
SP: Adam Morgan LHP (1-7, 6.21 ERA)
New York Mets (64-63):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. Wilmer Flores (R) 1B
6. Jay Bruce (L) RF
7. Justin Ruggiano (R) CF
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Bartolo Colon (R) P
SP: Bartolo Colon RHP (11-7, 3.36 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY.
Final Recap: Mets 10 – Cardinals 6
The New York Mets (64-63) defeated the St. Louis Cardinal (67-59) by the final score of 10-6 tonight to take a critical series victory over one of the Wild Card leaders. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Alejandro De Aza had quite a game going 2-5 with 5 RBI’s including a 3-run home run. He also made a home run robbing catch in the bottom of the first inning.
- Seth Lugo was fantastic picking up his first Major League win despite leaving early with a right calf cramp. He went 5 scoreless innings while allowing only 2 hits, and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts.
- James Loney was 3-5 with 3 runs scored.
- Rene Rivera was 2-4 with 2 RBIs.
- Wilmer Flores was 2-3 with an RBI and 3 runs scored.
- Asdrubal Cabrera was 2-3 with an RBI.
Low and behold the Mets are creeping back into the Wild Card race with tonight’s series victory. Despite the Mets having an injury riddled roster they have simply tried to keep their heads above water with replacements, and the return of Yoenis Cespedes has done wonders as the team is now 4-2 since his return. Yes there are significant question marks regarding the starting rotation but those are problems that we can worry about tomorrow, as tonight’s win just feels good. It is getting a little unbelievable though how many injuries keep piling up for the Mets with starter Seth Lugo going down tonight while he was pitching his best game as a Major Leaguer. It is becoming a rite of passage it seems that in order to play for the Mets you must suffer some sort of injury and pay your dues on the disabled list (sarcasm).
The Mets are now 3.5 games behind the Cardinals with a favorable schedule down the stretch. The Mets have struggled against below .500 teams which is something they will certainly have to improve upon if they want any shot of October. The team will also hope to avoid any more serious injuries down the stretch as this team can not afford to be losing anymore starters. Things are looking up for the Mets however after tonight’s game, and what a difference 24 hours makes after last night’s debacle. The Mets will now host the Phillies for three games at Citi Field this weekend and they will have Neil Walker rejoin the team, and hopefully Jay Bruce will be back in the starting lineup as well. Let’s keep believing Mets fans, as hard as it’s been this season we still have a chance and tonight that sense of hope is all that matters!
Lineups: Mets vs. Cardinals 7:15 pm et.
New York Mets (63-63):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. James Loney (L) 1B
5. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
6. Wilmer Flores (R) 2B
7. Alejandro De Aza (L) CF
8. Rene Rivera (R) C
9. Seth Lugo (R) P
SP: Seth Lugo RHP (0-2, 3.04 ERA)
St. Louis Cardinals (67-58):
1. Matt Carpenter (L) 1B
2. Jedd Gyorko (R) 2B
3. Brandon Moss (L) LF
4. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
5. Yadier Molina (R) C
6. Jhonny Peralta (R) 3B
7. Randal Grichuk (R) CF
8. Greg Garcia (L) SS
9. Adam Wainwright (R) P
SP: Adam Wainwright RHP (9-7, 4.71 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY and the MLB Network.
Mets Tidbits:
- Jon Niese will be going under the knife today to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The arthroscopic procedure is expected to sideline the left-hander for 4 weeks and it is very possible we have seen the last of Niese this season. If his season is indeed over he ends the year with an 8-7 record with a 5.50 ERA between the Mets and the Pirates. The 29-year old lefty carries a $10 million club option that surely will be bought out by the Mets this offseason for the smaller rate of $500,000.
- After leaving last night’s game in the second inning after hitting a double, Jay Bruce was diagnosed with a right leg cramp. Bruce was pulled from the game and pinch ran for by Alejandro De Aza who took Bruce’s position on the field. Manager Terry Collins had stated after last night’s game that Bruce’s calf had knotted up during the first inning while he was in the field. The injury reportedly stems from Bruce fouling a ball off his leg. We can safely consider Bruce day-to-day but the amount of injuries the Mets have faced this season is beyond ridiculous.
- The Mets will recall left-handed pitcher Sean Gilmartin (pictured) from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to tonight’s ballgame and demote recently promoted reliever Erik Goeddel. The 26-year old Gilmartin has pitched nine innings for the Mets this season and posted a 7.00 ERA. The lefty has primarily functioned as a starting pitcher over in Las Vegas and has posted a 9-7 record with a 4.86 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 107.1 innings. Goeddel allowed two runs in 1.2 innings pitched last night while allowing one walk and striking out three.
Lineups: Mets vs. Cardinals 8:15 pm et.
New York Mets (63-62):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Curtis Granderson (L) CF
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. Jay Bruce (L) RF
5. James Loney (L) 1B
6. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
7. Kelly Johnson (L) 2B
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Jacob deGrom (L) P
SP: Jacob deGrom RHP (7-6, 2.73 ERA)
St. Louis Cardinals (66-58):
1. Matt Carpenter (L) 1B
2. Jedd Gyorko (R) 2B
3. Brandon Moss (L) LF
4. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
5. Yadier Molina (R) C
6. Jhonny Peralta (R) 3B
7. Randal Grichuk (R) CF
8. Greg Garcia (L) SS
9. Carlos Martinez (R) P
SP: Carlos Martinez RHP (11-7, 3.24 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY.
Above The Mendoza 