Category: MLB.COM
Asdrubal Cabrera close to return?
Asdrubal Cabrera seems to be getting closer to being ready for Opening Night for the New York Mets. On Friday, Cabrera had both played catch and tracked pitches in the batting cage in his return from a strained patella tendon. Both yesterday and today, Cabrera has also been seen swinging a bat at Mets camp and hitting off a tee.
It is beginning to look a lot clearer that Cabrera could be ready to play on April 3rd, which would be a huge plus for the Mets, as his chances looked pretty bleak when he suffered his knee injury ten days ago. If Cabrera could get into game action by next weekend, he should be good to go for Opening Night.
Edgin and Goeddel pitch in minor league game
RHP Erik Goeddel and LHP Josh Edgin both pitched in a game setting for the first time this morning in Port St. Lucie. ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin captured these photos this morning of them making their pitching debuts this spring.
Goeddel, who hasn’t pitched all spring since straining his lat muscle earlier in camp, played in a minor league intrasquad game and threw 14 pitches. Goeddel did not allow a batter to reach base as he retired the three batters he faced. It’s an important step for Goeddel in his return to the Mets. He is essentially in a battle for a bullpen spot with the rejuvenated Jim Henderson. Goeddel is now expected to start pitching in Grapefruit League games this week. Goeddel had a 2.43 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 33.1 innings last season.
Edgin, who is working back from Tommy John surgery pitched for the first time in a game situation since his operation last March. Edgin threw 16 pitches in a minor league intrasquad game, and struck out three batters, and hit one. This is a huge step in Edgin’s recovery from Tommy John, as he is one step closer to rejoining the Mets bullpen. Edgin is projected to rejoin the team on May 1st, and will be another weapon the Mets can add to a revamped bullpen. Edgin had a 1.32 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched back in 2014.
Lineups Red Sox vs. Mets 1:10 pm et
Red Sox:
1. Brock Holt (L) LF
2. Dustin Pedroia (R) 2B
3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
4. Travis Shaw (L) 3B
5. Chris Young (R) RF
6. David Murphy (L) DH
7. Ryan Hanigan (R) C
8. Rusney Castillo (R) CF
9. Sam Travis (R) 1B
SP: Heath Hembree RHP
Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. David Wright (R) 3B
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
4. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. Wilmer Flores (R) DH
7. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
8. Juan Lagares (R) LF
9. Matt Reynolds (R) SS
SP: Noah Syndergaard RHP
- Today’s game can be seen on SNY or MLB Network, and heard on WOR 710 AM.
Game Notes:
Avaliable pitchers for both squads:
RED SOX: RHP Heath Hembree, RHP Carlos Marmol, LHP Luis Ysla, and LHP Robby Scott.
METS: RHP Noah Syndergaard, RHP Hansel Robles, and LHP Jerry Blevins.
YESTERDAY’S GAME: The Mets were rained out in Viera vs. Washington.
DAVID WRIGHT: Went 2-3 with two singles Friday night in his first Grapefruit League action of the spring…
RHP NOAH SYNDERGAARD: Will make his third start of Grapefruit League play today…Allowed one earned run over 3.2 innings with three strikeouts in his last start on March 15 at Miami…
NL LEADERS: Wilmer Flores ranks second among all NL players with
a .440 (11-25) batting average this spring…Flores is also tied for second among NL players with a .531 on- base percentage…Eric Campbell is first among all NL players with a .563 on-base percentage…
VS. RED SOX: Today’s game is the first of two match-ups between the Mets and Red Sox…New York will travel to Fort Myers on March 24.
Mets Tidbits
- Matt Harvey was scheduled to start against the Washington Nationals this afternoon, but stayed behind in Port St. Lucie to face St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, due to potential inclement weather this afternoon. Harvey pitched 3.1 innings and allowed six runs, five of them earned. According to multiple people who watched Harvey pitch, Harvey was mainly working on his secondary stuff in the game and he looked good, until he started getting touched up in his last inning of work. Harvey simply wanted to get his start in and work on his off-speed pitches. The final line of the game is meaningless, as Harvey was just focused on sharpening his arsenal against the Cardinals minor leaguers.
- In WBC qualifying action, second baseman Dilson Herrera was 2-5 with an RBI single and a run scored, in Colombia’s win over Panama last night. Shortstop prospect Luis Guillorme was 1-3 with an RBI yesterday in Spain’s win over France.
- Former Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada signed a 1-year $1.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals this morning. With Cardinals starting shortstop Jhonny Peralta on the shelf for the first couple of months of the season, Tejada figures to be the Cardinals starting shortstop until Peralta returns. General Manager John Mozeliak was asked by MLB.com on the move and stated,”We do feel like there is an opportunity to add depth, because Tejada was recently released, and for us it made sense to pursue this. I just think it makes our club stronger overall, and ultimately it then gives [manager] Mike [Matheny] the flexibility to utilize the different infield positions until Peralta gets back.”
- ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin is reporting that RHP Erik Goeddel and LHP Josh Edgin will pitch in a minor league game Sunday. It will each be their first appearance in a game this spring as both pitchers are working their way back from injuries.
Mets vs. Nationals Lineups 1:10 pm et
Mets:
1. Alejandro De Aza (L) DH
2. Juan Lagares (R) CF
3. Michael Conforto (L) LF
4. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
5. Eric Campbell (R) 1B
6. Roger Bernadina (L) RF
7. T.J. Rivera (R) 2B
8. Matt Reynolds (R) SS
9. Ty Kelly (S) 3B
SP: Logan Verrett RHP
Nationals:
1. Ben Revere (L) CF
2. Anthony Rendon (R) 3B
3. Bryce Harper (L) RF
4. Jayson Werth (R) LF
5. Clint Robinson (L) 1B
6. Wilson Ramos (R) C
7. Brendan Ryan (R) SS
8. Jason Martinson (R) 2B
9. Tony Campana (L) DH
SP: Joe Ross RHP
- First pitch is at 1:05 pm et and can be seen on SNY or heard on WOR 710 AM
Game Notes:
RHP LOGAN VERRETT: Will make his fifth appearance of the spring and his second start…He does not have a decision and has posted 1.50 ERA (one earned run/6.0 innings)…He has allowed seven hits, has not issued a walk and struck out two…
LAST TRIP TO VIERA: The Mets will play their last game ever at Space Coast Stadium today…The Nationals are moving to West Palm Beach in 2017.
TEAM HITTING: The Mets are hitting .282 as a team this spring, the fourth- highest average among NL clubs…The Mets have a .360 on-base percentage this spring, ranking second among NL teams, behind Arizona (.373).
NL LEADERS: Wilmer Flores ranks third among all NL players with a .440 (11-25) batting average this spring… Flores is also third among NL players with a .531 on-base percentage…Eric Campbell is second among all NL players with a .563 on-base percentage…Campbell leads all NL players with 10 walks this spring… Campbell is also tied for first along with teammate Alejandro De Aza among NL players with nine runs scored…Travis Taijeron is seventh among NL players with a .385 batting average.
Mets Tidbits
- David Wright came out feeling good after his first Grapefruit League action this spring. “The back felt good today,” Wright stated. “We’ll see how it feels tomorrow.” Wright is expected to play on Sunday at Tradition Field against the Red Sox. He expects to play again the following day at Tradition Field against the Marlins. How Wright’s back responds after back to back games will be something to monitor.
- ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin is reporting that Terry Collins has stated that Juan Lagares will be receiving starts in left field this season, as well as right field. Collins wants to play Lagares in left field and keep Yoenis Cespedes in center field, because he believes it’s best not to move Cespedes around too much.
- Former Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada was reportedly offered a minor league contract by the New York Yankees today. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, has reported that Tejada has rejected the Yankees offer as as he is mulling a Major League offer. Newsday’s David Lennon confirms that report and stated, that Tejada indeed has multiple Major League contract offers that he is considering at this time. I would not be surprised to see Tejada have a new home before the end of the weekend.
- St. Louis Cardinals Rule 5 draft pick, Matt Bowman reportedly may be returned to the Mets by the end of Spring Training.The right-handed pitcher earlier in the week was a favorite to carve a spot out in the big league bullpen, but has struggled with the club this spring. Bowman has allowed 13 hits and 8 earned runs, in three games thus far. A five hit, four run outing on Wednesday may have sealed his fate. Bowman would report to AAA if returned to the Mets.
Final: Nationals 12 – Mets 7
The Washington Nationals defeated the New York Mets at Tradition Field this evening by the final score of 12-7. For a full box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- In David Wright’s return to action, Wright went 2-3 with a run scored. How David feels tomorrow morning after tonight’s game will determine how quick he will get into another game.
- Juan Lagares who got the rare start in left field was 1-3 with a HR.
- Yoenis Cespedes was 1-3 and drove David Wright in with an RBI double in the bottom of the 3rd.
- Michael Conforto was 2-5 with a grand slam home run in the bottom of the 9th.
- Bartolo Colon was shelled for 9 hits and 8 earned runs, in 5 innings of work. He did have 5 strikeouts as well this evening.
- Jim Henderson, Addison Reed, and Jeurys Familia pitched a combined 3 shutout innings, allowing no hits, with 4 combined K’s.
- The Mets hit the road again to face the Washington Nationals in Viera tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1:05 pm et, and can be seen on MLB Network or heard on WOR 710 AM.
- Matt Harvey is scheduled to take the mound against the Nationals young right- hander Joe Ross. RHP Jeurys Familia, RHP Hansel Robles, and LHP Jerry Blevins are also scheduled to pitch for the Mets.
Lineups: Nationals vs. Mets 6:10 pm et
Nationals:
1. Michael Taylor (R) CF
2. Daniel Murphy (L) 2B
3. Stephen Drew (L) 3B
4. Ryan Zimmerman (R) 1B
5. Chris Heisey (R) RF
6. Danny Espinosa (S) SS
7. Reed Johnson (R) LF
8. Jose Lobaton (S) C
9. Matt den Dekker (L) DH
SP: Lucas Giolito RHP
Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. David Wright (R) 3B
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
4. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. Michael Conforto (L) DH
7. Wilmer Flores (R) SS
8. Kevin Plawecki (R) C
9. Juan Lagares (R) LF
SP: Bartolo Colon RHP
- First pitch is slated for 6:10 pm et, and can be seen on SNY and heard on WOR 710 AM.
Game Notes:
DAVID WRIGHT: Is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut tonight… Wright was 0-3 with a sacrifice fly in a minor league game yesterday… Wright was 1-5 with a single in a minor league game on Monday…He took live BP on Tuesday…
RHP BARTOLO COLON: Is making his third start in Grapefruit League action tonight…Earned the win in his Spring debut on March 7 vs. Detroit… Tossed 3.0 innings and allowed one run on four hits with two strikeouts… Surrendered four runs on six hits in a no-decision on March 12 vs. St. Louis…
TEAM HITTING: The Mets are hitting .282 as a team this spring, the fourth- highest average among NL clubs…The Mets have a .359 on-base percentage this spring, ranking second among NL teams, behind Arizona (.371).
NL LEADERS: Wilmer Flores is leading all NL players with a .455 (10-22) batting average this spring…Flores also leads all NL with a .552 on-base percentage…Eric Campbell is second among all NL with a .533 on-base percentage…Campbell leads all NL players with nine walks this spring…
VS. WASHINGTON: Tonight’s game is the third this spring vs. Washington and the first at home…New York lost 9-4 on March 3 at Viera and fell 9-5 on March 11 at Viera…
Who is Matt Reynolds?
Matt Reynolds has been a name that has been discussed by Mets fans and officials over the past couple of seasons, when a need has arisen with the Major League ball club. Reynolds seemed to have finally gotten his shot to make the Mets 25-man roster and stick with the team, after the recent release of Ruben Tejada. Continue reading
Mets Tidbits
- David Wright played in a minor league game this afternoon as the designated hitter and went 0-3 with a sacrifice fly. He is expected to join the Mets lineup tomorrow evening against the Washington Nationals. Manager Terry Collins has stated Wright will get the start at third base and not at DH, as he and Wright both believe he is ready to play in the field.
- Dilson Herrera who started at second base for Colombia in their opening WBC qualifier today, was 0-2 with an RBI, a run scored, and three walks this afternoon against Spain. Mets shortstop prospect Luis Guillorme was 0-5 for Spain this afternoon. Guillorme is currently ranked as the Mets 15th best prospect by MLB.com.
- Catcher Nevin Ashley was assigned to minor league camp this morning cutting the Mets roster down to 38 players. Johnny Monell is the favorite for the Mets backup catcher job right now, baring a trade, with Kevin Plawecki expected to head to AAA Las Vegas to receive regular playing time.
- ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin is reporting that New York City is close to approving a smokeless tobacco ban at ticketed sporting events. The ban would include players and spectators, and will affect both Citi Field and Yankee Stadium. New York City would join Boston, Los Angeles, and San Fransisco, who have already passed similar bans.
- Washington Nationals number one prospect Lucas Giolito will get the nod as the starting pitcher to face the New York Mets tomorrow evening at Tradition Field. Giolito who is regarded as baseball’s top pitching prospect, has a 5.40 ERA with an 8/2 strikeout to walk split, in 3 games pitched this spring.
Above The Mendoza 