Category: Major League Baseball
Mets Tidbits…
- Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera talked to reporters this morning in Port St. Lucie and isn’t optimistic about his availability for Opening Night. When asked about his availability, Cabrera said, “I don’t know, I’ve just got to wait and see how my knee feels.” I don’t believe the Mets will rush Cabrera back, as they will want to avoid a setback or a nagging injury situation. The Mets have a lot of depth at shortstop currently, and it would be better for Cabrera’s health, to possibly return the second week of the season if his knee is 100%.
- It is being reported by multiple sources that the Mets are scouring the trade market for a backup catcher. One Mets source has been quoted as wanting to have Kevin Plawecki receive 150-200 at bats in AAA rather than him sit on the bench. Mets team officials reportedly have also not been thrilled with any of the alternative options at catcher in camp including Johnny Monell. This is something to monitor the rest of spring as the Mets believe this is turning into an area of need.
- ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin has reported that the Mets are still comfortable trading SS Ruben Tejada with Asdrubal Cabrera on the shelf. Rubin has stated that the Mets are comfortable with Matt Reynolds and Wilmer Flores at shortstop, and if the return package is ideal, they will trade him. The St. Louis Cardinals have heavily been linked to Tejada since Jhonny Peralta suffered an injury that will cost him half of the season, and both parties could be a potential match.
- Dilson Herrera will indeed travel to Panama City, Panama tomorrow for the WBC Qualifiers. Despite his knee being heavily wrapped in the clubhouse, Herrera’s knee is reportedly just sore and he’ll be good to go for the qualifiers.
- Former Met right handed pitcher Matt Bowman is reportedly a favorite to make the St. Louis Cardinals roster out of Spring Training as a reliever. Bowman was selected by the Cardinals in this past December’s Rule 5 Draft, and would have to be returned to the Mets if he is not on the active roster this season. Bowman is ranked as the Cardinals 21st ranked prospect by MLB.com.
Final: Mets 11 – Marlins 0
The Mets defeated the Marlins by the final score of 11-0 at Roger Dean Stadium this afternoon. For a complete box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- The Mets had 15 total hits this afternoon, while the Marlins only had 3.
- Matt Harvey had a strong start, going 4 innings, while only allowing 1 hit and 4 strikeouts.
- Jeurys Familia pitched a perfect frame with 2 K’s.
- Ruben Tejada had himself a game going 2-3 with 3 RBI, and a run scored.
- Yoenis Cespedes was 1-3 with an RBI single
- Johnny Monell was 1-1 with 2 RBI
- Travis Taijeron was 1-1 with 2 RBI. He is hitting .421 and has 10 RBI’s this spring.
- Dilson Herrera left today’s contest early after fouling a ball of his left knee in the 9th.
The New York Mets plain and simple came to play today. Everyone on the roster looked to be in midseason form, and it was all the more impressive that they did this against the Marlins Opening Day regulars. Matt Harvey was absolutely dominant and as I’ve said before, I believe this is going to be his best season in his career thus far. Familia, Blevins, and Bastardo pitched 3 innings of shutout ball, not even allowing a hit against them. Familia is going to have a big year, if the relievers in front of him can bridge the gap. Last year that was an issue, and I believe the Mets have built a stronger bullpen around Familia this season. Ruben Tejada just continues to rake since Asdrubal Cabrera went down, and his storyline is going to be an interesting one to follow for the rest of the spring. Johnny Monell who is being discussed as the potential backup catcher for the Mets, had a nice day at the plate, as he had a 2-run RBI double in the top of the 7th. Dilson Herrera is scheduled to leave for the WBC qualifiers Monday, so the injury he suffered will be something to keep an eye on.
- The Mets will travel to Lakeland tomorrow to face the Detroit Tigers. First pitch is slated for 1:05 pm et, and will not be televised but can be heard on WOR 710 AM.
- Jacob deGrom will make his second start of the spring against Tigers southpaw Daniel Norris.
Mets vs. Marlins Lineups 1:05 pm et
Mets:
1. Alejandro De Aza (L) LF
2. Juan Lagares (R) CF
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) DH
4. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
5. Dominic Smith (L) 1B
6. Roger Bernadina (L) RF
7. Eric Campbell (R) 3B
8. Ruben Tejada (R) 2B
9. Matt Reynolds (R) SS
SP: Matt Harvey RHP
Marlins:
1. Dee Gordon (L) 2B
2. Marcell Ozuna (R) CF
3. Christian Yelich (L) LF
4. Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
5. Justin Bour (L) 1B
6. Martin Prado (R) 3B
7. J.T. Realmuto (R) C
8. Ichiro Suzuki (L) RF
9. Adeiny Hechavarria (R) SS
SP: Tom Koehler RHP
- Today’s game can be seen on MLB.tv or heard on WOR 710 AM.
Mets Tidbits…
- Mets right-handed reliever Erik Goeddel, (pictured), threw a 15-pitch bullpen session this afternoon. Goeddel did not throw with full force, but is expected to have another bullpen session early next week. The hope is after this next session, Goeddel can begin pitching in games. Goeddel is working his way back from a strained lat muscle suffered earlier in camp, and has been considered a favorite for the bullpen by Manager Terry Collins.
- It is being reported that the Mets are targeting Monday, for David Wright to play in a Minor League game. If all goes well, it would not surprise me to see Wright in the starting lineup as soon as Friday, as the Mets are on the road all week beginning tomorrow in Jupiter.
- Matt Reynolds made his return to the field this afternoon by coming in as a late inning replacement at shortstop. Reynolds has missed the past 4 days battling a tight right hamstring. Reynolds who has made some sparkling defensive plays at shortstop this spring, is now in the running for a roster spot with Asdrubal Cabrera on the shelf.
- Adam Rubin of ESPN New York is reporting that around a half-dozen teams are interested in acquiring the red hot outfielder Alejandro De Aza. The Mets however are searching for a team to pick up the entire $5.75 million dollar salary that De Aza carries with him. It seems more and more likely De Aza will be with another team come Opening Day.
Final: Cardinals 14 – Mets 9
The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Mets this afternoon by the final score of 14-9. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Bartolo Colon had an uneven outing allowing 4 runs, on 6 hits, in 3 2/3 innings pitched.
- Kevin Plawecki (pictured) was 1-3 with a 2-run HR.
- Lucas Duda had a muti-hit game going 2-3 with a run scored.
- Every position player in the starting lineup today had at least one hit, aside from Wilmer Flores.
- Juan Lagares came in late as a replacement, and went 1-1 with 2 RBI.
- Jim Henderson pitched a scoreless inning. In 4 innings pitched this spring, he has allowed only one hit and has 5 strikeouts.
- The Mets will travel to Jupiter to play the Miami Marlins with a 1:05 pm et start time. The game can be seen on MLB.tv or heard on WOR 710 AM.
- Matt Harvey will take the mound in his second spring start of the season for the Mets, against Marlins righty Tom Koehler. Also scheduled to pitch for the Mets include, LHP Duane Below, RHP Hansel Robles, and RHP Addison Reed.
Cardinals vs. Mets Lineups 1:10 pm et
Cardinals:
1. Kolten Wong (L) 2B
2. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
3. Randal Grichuk (R) CF
4. Brandon Moss (L) 1B
5. Jedd Gyorko (R) SS
6. Brayan Pena (S) C
7. Anthony Garcia (R) LF
8. Jacob Wilson (R) 3B
9. Carson Kelly (R) DH
SP: Tyler Lyons LHP
Mets:
- Curtis Granderson (L) RF
- Neil Walker (S) 2B
- Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
- Lucas Duda (L) 1B
- Wilmer Flores (R) SS
- Travis d’Arnaud (R) DH
- Michael Conforto (L) LF
- Eric Campbell (R) 3B
- Kevin Plawecki (R) C
SP: Bartolo Colon, RHP
- Today’s ballgame can be seen on SNY or MLB.tv.
Game Notes:
Avaliable Pitchers for the Mets: LHP Josh Smoker, RHP Jeurys Familia, and RHP Gabriel Ynoa.
VS. ST. LOUIS: Today’s game is the third of five games this Spring with the Cardinals…Each team has won a game thus far this Spring with St. Louis winning, 9-4, in Jupiter on March 7 and the Mets taking the game on March 10 in St. Lucie, 7-2.
RHP BARTOLO COLÓN: Is making his second start in Grapefruit League action today…Earned the win in his Spring debut on Monday vs. Detroit… Tossed 3.0 innings and allowed one run on four hits with two strikeouts…
WILMER FLORES: Walked twice in two plate appearances on Friday and is batting .500 (7-14) with one double and one RBI in seven games played this Spring…Each of Flores’ six starts this Spring have come at third base.
Final Nationals 9 – Mets 5
The Mets fell to the Washington Nationals this afternoon by the final score of 9-5 in Viera. For a full box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Steven Matz pitching on short rest had a line of 2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, and 1 K. He also committed a throwing error in the bottom of the 2nd, trying to start a double play.
- Juan Lagares was 1-3 with an RBI.
- Alejandro De Aza was 1-3, bumping his average up to .438 this spring.
- Travis Taijeron was 0-1 but added his 8th RBI of the spring on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 9th.
- Logan Verrett (pictured) pitched 2 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and throwing 2 strikeouts.
- Antonio Bastardo had another rough outing, allowing all three of Steven Matz inherited runners to score in the bottom of the third.
Steven Matz had a solid two innings pitched to start the game against the Nationals. Matz got into trouble in the bottom of the third by allowing two straight walks, and a misplayed ball by Alejandro De Aza, loaded the bases. Antonio Bastardo proceeded to cough up the 3 runners Matz had stranded by allowing two base hits. Bastardo is not having the best start to the spring thus far. Matz on the other hand looked solid today despite pitching on short rest, and he was pulled in the bottom of the third as his pitch count was rising with 41 pitches. 27 of those pitches however were thrown for strikes.
- The Mets play host to the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow afternoon at Tradition Field with a 1:10 pm et start time. The game can be seen on WPIX or MLB.tv.
- Bartolo Colon is expected to start against Cardinals lefty Tyler Lyons.
- Also expected to pitch for the Mets include, LHP Josh Smoker, RHP Jeurys Familia, RHP Gabriel Ynoa.
Rafael Montero among players optioned…
LHP Dario Alvarez, RHP Rafael Montero and RHP Akeel Morris have all been optioned to minor league camp…RHP Chase Bradford, RHP Paul Sewald and C Raywilly Gomez have been reassigned to minor league camp…There are now a total of 52 players in camp for the Mets.
It is a bit of a disappointing turn of events for Montero as he was vying for a bullpen spot. Montero’s spring has not gone the way he or the Mets envisioned so far, and his stock has taken a tumble over the past year. I hope Montero is able to get it all together soon, because he has proven in the past he has the make-up of a Major League pitcher. I expect Montero, granted he’s healthy, will start the year in AAA.
Mets vs. Nationals Lineups 1:05 pm et
Mets:
- Alejandro De Aza (R) LF
- Juan Lagares (L) CF
- Wilmer Flores (R) 3B
- Dominic Smith (L) DH
- Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
- Marc Krauss (L) 1B
- Dilson Herrera (R) 2B
- Roger Bernadina (L) RF
- Ruben Tejada (R) SS
SP: Steven Matz LHP
Nationals:
- Ben Revere (L) CF
- Anthony Rendon (R) 3B
- Bryce Harper (L) RF
- Daniel Murphy (L) 2B
- Jayson Werth (R) LF
- Clint Robinson (L) DH
- Tyler Moore (R) 1B
- Wilson Ramos (R) C
- Danny Espinosa (S) SS
SP: Stephen Strasburg RHP
Today’s game will not be televised but can be heard through the Washington Nationals Radio Network if you have MLB.tv Premium.
Game Notes:
Today’s available pitchers for both squads:
METS: LHP Steven Matz, LHP Sean Gilmartin, RHP Logan Verrett, RHP Zack Thornton.
NATIONALS: RHP Stephen Strasburg, RHP A.J. Cole, LHP Oliver Perez, LHP Nick Lee, LHP Felipe Rivero
VS. NATIONALS: Today’s game is the second of six matchups with the Nationals and second of three in Viera…The Mets fell in their Grapefruit League opener in Viera on March 3, 9-4…Washington visits Port St. Lucie on March 18, 27 and 30.
LHP STEVEN MATZ: Will make his second start of the Spring today and his first against the Nationals… Made his Grapefruit League debut on March 7 at St. Louis…He allowed one run on one hit in three innings… In that outing, Matz struck out the side in the second inning before allowing his only run of the game in the third…
ALEJANDRO DE AZA: Is in today’s starting lineup…Was 2-3 with a double and two runs scored on Thursday vs. St. Louis…Is batting .462 (6-13) with two doubles and five runs scored in six games this Spring…
WILMER FLORES: Is in today’s starting lineup…Was 2-3 on Thursday and is batting .500 (7-14) with one double and one RBI in six games played this Spring…Each of Flores’ five starts this Spring have come at third base.
Jenrry Mejia Announcement
It has been reported this afternoon, that Jenrry Mejia is expected to make a big announcement tomorrow afternoon from his attorney’s office in New York. One can only assume that Mejia and his representatives will be pursuing some sort of legal action against Major League Baseball, and possibly the Player’s Association. Mejia had been banned from baseball last month after testing positive for PED’s for a third time. Mejia has been adamant that there has been a conspiracy against him from Major League Baseball, regarding his last two failed drug tests. Mejia also cited a lack of support from the MLBPA in regards to his last two failed drug tests. According to the NY Daily News, a press release from Mejia’s camp includes a witness willing to come forward and testify against Major League Baseball, “claiming that the league offered to pay him in return for steroid related testimony against a player.” Mejia is the first player ever to receive a lifetime ban for PED’s from Major League Baseball, and he apparently won’t go down without a fight.
Above The Mendoza 