Category: Major League Baseball
Jacob deGrom expected to start home opener on April 8…
ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin is reporting this morning that the New York Mets plan to start Jacob deGrom on their home opener April 8th against the Philadelphia Phillies. This move would be made in order to accommodate deGrom and his wife, who are expecting a child during the first series of the season against Kansas City. It is also expected the organization wants deGrom to pitch the big home opener at Citi Field, since he would not be pitching on Opening Night.
This development means Noah Syndergaard will get the start in the second game of the season against the Kansas City Royals. Lefty Steven Matz is expected to follow Syndergaard in relief in that game against the Royals as well. Matt Harvey will face Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez on Opening Night this Sunday.
Mets Projected Rotation:
RHP Matt Harvey vs. Kansas City April 3rd 8:37 pm et
RHP Noah Syndergaard & LHP Steven Matz vs. Kansas City April 5th 4:15 pm et
RHP Jacob deGrom vs. Philadephia Phillies April 8th 1:10 pm et
LHP Steven Matz vs. Philadephia Phillies April 9th 7:10 pm et
RHP Bartolo Colon vs. Philadelphia Phillies April 10th 1:10 pm et
Mets vs. Cardinals Lineups 1:05 pm et
Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
4. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. Alejandro De Aza (L) LF
7. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
8. Wilmer Flores (R) 3B
9. Bartolo Colon (R) P
SP: Bartolo Colon RHP
Cardinals:
1. Matt Carpenter (L) 3B
2. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
3. Matt Holliday (R) LF
4. Matt Adams (L) 1B
5. Randal Grichuk (R) CF
6. Eric Fryer (R) C
7. Kolten Wong (L) 2B
8. Ruben Tejada (R) SS
9. Carlos Martinez (R) P
SP: Carlos Martinez
- Today’s game can be seen on MLB.tv or heard on WOR 710 AM this afternoon.
Game Notes:
RHP BARTOLO COLON: Is making his fifth start this spring…He tossed 6.0 shutout innings vs. the Blue Jays’ starting lineup on March 23 with six strikeouts…
WRIGHT ON: David Wright hit his first home run of the spring yesterday vs. Washington (Yusmeiro Petit)…He finished 2-4 with two RBI…Wright is hitting .294 (5-17) with three RBI in six spring games.
NL LEADERS: Alejandro De Aza is fourth among all NL players with a .400 (16-40 ) batting average and is fourth in on-base percentage (.479)…Jacob deGrom is first among all qualifying pitchers with a 1.62 ERA…
MATT REYNOLDS: Is 5-for-his-last-8 (.625) over his last three spring games…Overall, Reynolds is hitting .265 (9-34) with two doubles and four RBI in 15 games.
ASDRUBAL CABRERA: Went 3-4 with in a minor league game yesterday…He played 4.0 innings in the field…Cabrera is 7-13 (.538) in three minor league games…He suffered a strained patella tendon of his left knee on March 10.
ON THE ROAD: For the second straight year, the Mets will take every player in camp to their final Grapefruit League road game.
Final: Mets 4 – Nationals 4
The New York Mets played to a third straight tie this afternoon against the Washington Nationals by the final score of 4-4. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- David Wright was 2-4 this afternoon with a HR and 2 RBI’s.
- Michael Conforto returned to the Mets lineup and was 2-4 with a 2-run HR.
- Neil Walker was 2-3 with a run scored and a triple.
- Steven Matz pitched 5.2 innings allowing only 1 run and 1 hit which came off of the bat of Nationals first baseman Clint Robinson. Matz issued 4 walks along with 5 strikeouts.
- The Mets bullpen struggled this afternoon as Logan Verrett, and Jim Henderson combined allowed 4 hits, and 3 runs in 1.1 innings pitched. Jerry Blevins was also charged with the blown save by allowing Henderson’s inherited runners to score.
- SS Asdrubal Cabrera did not play as expected today. He went 3-4 in a minor league game today instead and will be in tomorrow’s lineup.
- Interesting fact, Nationals RHP Yusmeiro Petit was included with 1B Mike Jacobs in the Carlos Delgado trade to the Marlins back in 2005.
- The Mets go to Jupiter to face the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow afternoon, with a 1:05 pm et start time. The game can be seen if you have an MLB.tv subscription or heard on WOR 710 AM.
- Bartolo Colon will make his final Grapefruit League start against Cardinals young right-hander Carlos Martinez.
Happy Easter Y’all!
Mets vs. Braves Lineups 1:05 pm et
Mets:
1. Juan Lagares (R) CF
2. Patrick Biondi (L) LF
3. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
4. Wilmer Flores (R) 2B
5. Eric Campbell (R) 3B
6. Marc Krauss (L) 1B
7. Travis Taijeron (R) RF
8. Matt Reynolds (R) SS
9. Jacob deGrom (L) P
SP: Jacob deGrom RHP
Braves:
1. Ender Inciarte (L) CF
2. Erick Aybar (S) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Adonis Garcia (R) 3B
5. Nick Markakis (L) RF
6. Hector Olivera (R) LF
7. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C
8. Jace Peterson (L) 2B
9. Bud Norris (R) P
SP: Bud Norris RHP
- Today’s game can be seen on MLB.tv or heard on WOR 710 AM.
Game Notes:
RHP JACOB deGROM: Will make his fourth start of the Spring today… Has only allowed one earned run over 10.0 spring innings (0.90 ERA)… Hurled 4.0 shutout innings in his last start on March 31 vs. Miami…
VS. ATLANTA: The Mets and Braves meet for the final time this spring today…New York is 1-1 vs. Atlanta this spring.
JUAN LAGARES: Has six RBI in 15 spring games and is hitting .324 (11-34) with a .410 on-base percentage…He has one triple and one home run.
NL LEADERS: Wilmer Flores ranks ninth among all NL players with a .431 on- base percentage and tied for ninth with eight walks…Eric Campbell is also tied for second among all NL players with a .489 on-base percentage…Campbell is first among all NL players with 11 walks this spring…
Final: Mets 5 – Cardinals 5
The New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals finished in a 4-all tie at Tradition Field this afternoon by the final score of 5-5. For a full box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Noah Syndergaard pitched 6 innings allowing 2 runs, on 5 hits. He gave up no walks and struck out 9.
- Matt Reynolds was 2-3 with 3 RBI’s.
- Wilmer Flores received his first start of the spring at 1B and went 2-4 including a double, with 2 runs scored.
- Kevin Plawecki was 1-2 with a double, a walk, and 2 runs scored.
- Jerry Blevins, Jim Henderson, and Addison Reed combined to pitch 2 scoreless innings in relief.
- Jeurys Familia who was pitching on back-to-back days, struggled mightily as he blew the save in the 9th inning. He pitched 0.1 inning and allowed 4 hits, 3 runs, and allowed 2 walks.
- David Wright was 0-2 with a walk.
- Former Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada received the start at short for the Cardinals, and went 2-3 this afternoon.
First and foremost it was definitely odd seeing Ruben Tejada in another uniform. It’s not as much of an eye sore as seeing Daniel Murphy in a Nationals jersey, but it was still nonetheless weird. On another note, Noah Syndergaard was simply on point again today, as he has been all spring. He was making the Cardinals hitters look silly this afternoon and the ESPN broadcast announcers could not stop gushing at the gas he was throwing from the mound today. Wilmer Flores start at first base went well as he looked to be settled at the position as the game wore on. Keith Hernandez was seen sitting in the dugout with Wilmer before today’s game, which shows Wilmer’s willingness to learn from one of the best. Flores versatility around the diamond provides a great piece for the Mets to keep his bat in the lineup during the season.
Jeurys Familia was completely off this afternoon and charged with the blown save. He entered the game with a 2-run lead and he displayed no command, which in result, kept many of his pitches up in the strike zone. Many of those pitches up in the zone led to hard hit balls, including a home run from Cardinals outfielder Randal Grichuk. Familia departed after only getting one out, and leaving the bases loaded. Reliever Zack Thornton came into the game, and was able to get an inning-ending double play to put out Familia’s fire. It was a disappointing development watching Familia struggle, as it has been such a rare occurrence and it just leaves another bad taste in your mouth after watching Matt Harvey struggle yesterday. It’s still Spring Training however so I will not lose much sleep over his outing. The Mets rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth to snap their seven game losing streak.
- The Mets head to Disney to face the Atlanta Braves tomorrow afternoon for a 1:05 pm et start time. The game can be seen if you have an MLB.tv subscription or heard on WOR 710 AM.
- Jacob deGrom will take the mound for the Mets against Braves right-hander Bud Norris.
Mets release Carlyle, re-assign 4 others…
The New York Mets have announced this morning the release of RHP Buddy Carlyle. Carylyle’s 2015 campaign was cut short in July due to hip surgery last season, and he has struggled this spring with an 8.10 ERA in seven games. The 38-year old Carlyle is unsure if he will retire or continue pitching this season.
The Mets have also re-assigned INF Danny Muno, INF T.J. Rivera, INF Ty Kelly, and OF Roger Bernadina to minor league camp. The Mets have 32 players left in big league camp, which includes rehabbing pitchers Zack Wheeler and Josh Edgin.
Cardinals vs. Mets Lineups 1:10 pm et
Cardinals:
1. Matt Carpenter (L) 3B
2. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
3. Matt Holliday (R) LF
4. Randal Grichuk (R) CF
5. Matt Adams (L) 1B
6. Yadier Molina (R) C
7. Jedd Gyorko (R) 2B
8. Ruben Tejada (R) SS
9. Michael Wacha (R) P
SP: Michael Wacha RHP
Mets:
1. Alejandro De Aza (L) LF
2. David Wright (R) 3B
3. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. Wilmer Flores (R) 1B
6. Kevin Plawecki (R) C
7. Juan Lagares (R) CF
8. Matt Reynolds (R) SS
9. Noah Syndergaard (L) P
SP: Noah Syndergaard RHP
- Today’s game can be seen on SNY or ESPN. First pitch is at 1:10 pm et.
Game Notes:
Available pitchers for both squads:
CARDINALS: RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Matt Bowman
METS: RHP Noah Syndergaard, RHP Addison Reed, RHP Jeurys Familia, LHP Jerry Blevins
RHP NOAH SYNDERGAARD: Will make his fourth start of Grapefruit League play today…Pitched 5.0 innings and struck out five while allowing one earned run on March 20 vs. Boston..
CURTIS GRANDERSON: Is 5-for-his- last-7 (.714) with two doubles in his last two spring games…Granderson is hitting .323 (10-31) this spring with two doubles, one triple and three RBI.
JEURYS FAMILIA: Tossed 1.0 scoreless inning yesterday vs. Houston…Familia has not allowed a run over 7.0 innings this spring.
JUAN LAGARES: Has six RBI in 14 spring games and is hitting .333 (10- 30) with a .429 on-base percentage… He has one triple and one home run.
Mets Tidbits
- ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin is reporting that Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera will play Sunday afternoon against the Washington Nationals. Cabrera who is currently dealing with a strained patella tendon in his left knee, is more likely now than not to be in the Mets Opening Night lineup. Terry Collins has also expressed optimism on Cabrera’s return, as he stated today he believes Cabrera will be ready for the first game of the season. It is fantastic news for Cabrera as he was supposed to be inactive for two weeks before resuming baseball activity. Cabrera is expected back much sooner than expected, and he should have time to receive enough at-bats, as well as ground-balls to turn with his new infield mate Neil Walker.
- LHP Jerry Blevins was hit in the thigh with a comebacker during his appearance in the ninth inning today against the Houston Astros. Blevins will be evaluated by Mets staff, but Terry Collins believes Blevins should be fine.
- Outfielder Michael Conforto is reportedly not concerned about his back spasms, but manager Terry Collins doesn’t seem to be singing the same tone. Talking to ESPN New York reporter Adam Rubin, Colllins was quoted; “I’m concerned about that,” Collins said. “Back spasms can be tough to get rid of. The doctor told me this morning it probably would be two to three days. We’ll reassess him tomorrow.” I don’t believe this is an issue that will keep Conforto out of the Opening Night lineup, but it is something to monitor over the next few days to see how he is feeling as the regular season approaches.
Final: Astros 8 – Mets 5
The Houston Astros defeated the New York Mets this afternoon by the final score of 8-5 at Tradition Field. For a full box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Matt Harvey struggled this afternoon as he pitched 3 innings and allowed 7 hits, 6 runs, 4 walks, and struck out two.
- Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless inning allowing only one hit.
- Jim Henderson continued his solid spring pitching a scoreless inning as well, only walking one and striking out two.
- Curtis Granderson was 2-3 with a triple.
- David Wright returned to the lineup and was 0-2 with a walk.
- Alejandro De Aza (pictured) continued his hot spring going 2-3 and raising his average to .429.
Matt Harvey was not himself all game as he struggled with command and labored through three innings, while throwing 85 pitches. It was the not the kind of start Harvey was looking for as he was probably looking to throw 90 pitches over six innings today. Harvey threw a few more pitches in the bullpen after he was taken out and still was unsatisfied with the way the ball was coming out today. Manager Terry Collins and Harvey both acknowledged there are some things he needs to correct while watching film tomorrow, so look for Harvey who has some of the best command in the game, to correct those mistakes his next time out. The good news is Harvey feels fine and his outing had nothing to do with his health. Yoenis Cespedes allowed an inside the park home run this afternoon after he failed to grab a ball that looked like it was wedged underneath the center field wall. Cespedes immediately put his hands up calling for a ground-rule double after the ball rolled underneath the wall as he believed the ball was lodged. Second base umpire C.B. Bucknor immediately ran out to Cespedes and claimed the ball was not wedged and he swatted the ball out from under the wall as Cespedes stared at it. Cespedes believed the ball had been wedged in the wall when asked by reporters after the game and Terry Collins defended him in his postgame news conference as well. I provided the video below, as this play is sure to make it’s rounds around the media tonight, and many Cespedes critics are sure to use this play as another strike against his defense. The Mets have now lost seven in a row but no World Series is won in March. Many of the players seem to be getting into a groove and come next week this team should hit the ground running as Grapefruit League action wraps up.
Yoenis Cespedes talking to reporters, via ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin on controversial inside the park home run:
“The ball fell under the fence,” Cespedes said through an interpreter. “It got wedged in there. For me, I couldn’t grab that. I thought that should have followed the ground rule and should have just been the double. He said, ‘You should be able to grab that.’ I said, ‘Of course I could grab that — if I stick my hand in there and pull it out, yes, I guess I could grab it.’ He stuck his hand in there and pulled it out. I could have done that as well. I just didn’t think that was what I needed to do.”
- The Mets stay at Tradition Field tomorrow afternoon for a 1:10 pm et contest against the St. Louis Cardinals. The game can be seen on both SNY and ESPN.
- Noah Syndergaard is scheduled to take the mound for the Mets against Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha.
Final Red Sox 4 – Mets 1
The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Mets this afternoon by the final score of 4-1 at JetBlue Park. For a full box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Logan Verrett pitched 4 solid innings this afternoon only allowing 2 hits, no runs, no walks, and 2 strikeouts. His ERA this spring sits at 0.90.
- Erik Goeddel made his first Grapefruit League appearance of the spring and pitched one inning, allowing three hits, and a 2-run home run to Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
- Matt Reynolds was 1-3 with an RBI.
- Wilmer Flores and Juan Lagares were a combined 0-6. Lagares struck out 3 times in 3 plate appearances this afternoon.
It was a fairly ho-hum day in Ft. Myers this afternoon, as the Mets sent much of their reserves to face many of the Red Sox regulars. The good news is Erik Goeddel made his first relief appearance of the spring, even though the results weren’t exactly what he was expecting. Goeddel will now battle with Jim Henderson over the next week and a half for a spot in the Mets Opening Day bullpen.
Above The Mendoza 