Tagged: MLB Blogs

Amed Rosario Added To Futures Game

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It has been announced that Mets shortstop prospect Amed Rosario will join organizational teammates Dominic Smith and Dilson Herrera, in San Diego on Sunday for the annual MLB Futures game. Rosario was added to the game due to Yankees organizational shortstop Jorge Mateo recently being suspended, and the 20-year old Rosario will take his spot on the World roster.

Rosario is considered the current crown jewel of the Mets farm system and is enjoying his best offensive season in the minors. Rosario is currently ranked as the second best prospect in the Mets system by MLB.com, behind first baseman Dominic Smith. The 20-year old shortstop has hit for a combined average of .330 between both High-A Port St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. Rosario also has a combined 11 triples with 52 RBI’s between both leagues in 82 games.

You can watch Sunday’s Futures Game on MLB Network at 7 pm et live from Petco Park in San Diego.

Final Recap: Mets 9 – Nationals 7

163APTOPIX Nationals Mets Baseball

The New York Mets (47-38) defeated the Washington Nationals (51-36) tonight by the final score of 9-7. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_07_07_wasmlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_07_07_wasmlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

  • Wilmer Flores took center stage tonight by swatting a 3-run HR in the bottom of the fifth to give the Mets the lead after being down 6-4. He finished the game 1-2.
  • Jose Reyes was 1-5 with a solo HR.
  • Travis d’Arnaud was 1-5 with a solo HR.
  • Asdrubal Cabrera was 2-4 with a solo HR.
  • Curtis Granderson was 3-4 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored.
  • Yoenis Cespedes was 2-3 with an RBI double.
  • Jeurys Familia converted his league leading 31st save of the season.

Down by 1 run? No problem. Down by 3 runs? No problem. Down by 2 runs? No problem. These were the deficits the Mets came back from in order tonight as they consistently rallied against the Nationals, and took the first game of this pivotal four game series. The Mets did not lay down tonight and continued to show the fight they have shown all homestand. 

The Mets belted out 15 hits tonight and got into a home run derby with the Nationals as both teams combined for eight home runs, which is a Citi Field record. Also what more can you say about the week Wilmer Flores is having?! Flores stepped into the box, pinch-hitting for James Loney with the Mets trailing 6-4, and cracked a three-run bomb into the left field seats. Flores has been proving that his bat belongs in the lineup all week, and he is going to make it tough on Terry Collins to fill out the lineup card everyday without his name in it. It was also awesome to see Jose Reyes crack a solo home run into the top deck in right field and get the loud “Jo-se Jo-se Jo-se” chant by the Mets faithful tonight. It was Reyes first home run with the Mets since September 27, 2011. 

The game ended with a bit of controversy as Jayson Werth and Daniel Murphy were both called out in the top of the ninth inning on a controversial double play. Asdrubal Cabrera made a great diving stop on a Daniel Murphy hit, and Werth appeared to slide legally into Neil Walker to break up a double play. Werth who was out anyway, was incensed when Murphy was called out at first base due to umpire Jim Joyce claiming he violated the new slide rules. Personally I am not a fan of these new slide rules, and I believe a runner should only be called out if they deliberately go out of their way to take out the infielder, such as Chase Utley last postseason. Nats GM and President Mike Rizzo had gotten into a shouting match with Jim Joyce after the game and I’m sure Major League Baseball will step in after that incident. But as a Mets fan that was a win I’ll take as the Mets certainly have had their fair share of breaks go the other way this season. 

Oh and by the way, if Daniel Murphy keeps hitting at this pace against the Mets, it is going to be a long three seasons while he is under contract with the Nationals. Murphy is seeing red when playing his former ball club, and he may give Chipper Jones a run for his money as the all-time Met killer at the pace he is swinging the bat. Murphy is currently hitting .425 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 10 games against the Mets this season. Ouch. 

The Mets now sit three games out of first place with tonight’s win and are looking as good as they have all season on this current homestand. The Mets are now 7-1 on this pivotal season-high eleven-game homestand, and they have scored 55 runs with eight home runs over these eight games. The test will be a smidgen tougher tomorrow night to drive in runs, but I have no doubt this team right now will be up to the challenge. Let’s go Mets!

  • The Mets and Nationals will do battle in the second game of their four game series tomorrow evening at 7:10 pm et. You can watch tomorrow’s game on SNY.
  • Noah Syndergaard (9-3, 2.41 ERA) will make a final audition for manager Terry Collins to get the start in Tuesday night’s All Star Game, against Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg (11-0, 2.71 ERA) who is also auditioning for that starting spot.

Harvey has Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Symptoms

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In another terrible turn for Matt Harvey this season, it has been announced that Harvey has been diagnosed with symptoms consistent with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, after meeting with Dr. Robert Thompson in St. Louis today. Thompson who is regarded as the leading specialist in TOS, handed down the bad news to Harvey and he is now contemplating season ending surgery. While his shoulder will have to be operated on sooner or later, he is also contemplating a non-surgical injection that could help treat his condition temporarily and let him pitch the remainder of the season.

Looking up the condition of TOS, it has been described as compressed nerves or blood vessels between both the collarbone and rib cage. In something that already sounds painful, the disorder leads to neck and shoulder pain, as well as numbness.

Either way it is not a positive diagnosis for Harvey who has taken a step back this season, and this disorder could possibly be one of the primary factors to him taking that step back.  If Harvey were to go under the knife he would miss the rest of the season, and could possibly miss time next season depending on when he has the surgery.

There is no telling how Harvey will come back from the surgery as many pitchers have come back differently from the operation. Kansas City Royals starter Chris Young is one the success stories and has revitalized his career after having the operation. Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes underwent the operation earlier this week to alleviate his symptoms that he had also been experiencing.

The Mets will give Harvey a few days to mull over his decision, and right-hander Logan Verrett will slide into Harvey’s rotation spot. With many of the Mets starters banged up, it is a fair question to wonder, if will we ever see Harvey, deGrom, Syndergaard, Matz, and Wheeler all in the starting rotation at the same time?

 

Lineups & Game Notes: Nationals vs. Mets 7:10 pm et

MLB: Washington Nationals at New York Mets

May 18, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) reacts as he leaves the game against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Nationals (51-35):

1. Ben Revere (L) CF
2. Jayson Werth (R) LF
3. Daniel Murphy (L) 2B
4. Bryce Harper (L) RF
5. Wilson Ramos (R) C
6. Clint Robinson (L) 1B
7. Anthony Rendon (R) 3B
8. Danny Espinosa (S) SS
9. Lucas Giolito (R) P

SP: Lucas Giolito RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

New York Mets (46-38):

1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. James Loney (L) 1B
6. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
7. Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Bartolo Colon (R) P

SP: Bartolo Colon RHP (7-4, 2.87 ERA)

Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.

Game Notes:

NATIONALS-METS NOTES: The Mets are 7-16 vs. Washington at Citi Field since 2014.

HOME COOKIN’: The Mets are 8-1 in their last nine home games… Overall, the club is 25-17 at home…New York has the fifth-best winning percentage (.595) in the NL at home.

HOMER HAPPY: New York has hit a home run in nine straight home games (22 overall) dating to June 21…The Mets have hit 59 home runs at home, the most in the NL and tied for the third-most in the majors.

AS HOT AS THE SUMMER: Travis d’Arnaud is hitting .406 (13-32) with one home run and seven RBI over his last 10 games…Curtis Granderson is 5-16 (.313) with two home runs and five RBI over his last four games…Brandon Nimmo is batting .310 (9-29) with four RBI in nine games since June 27…Yoenis Cespedes is hitting .360 (27-75) with five homers, 11 RBI and a .417 OBP over his last 20 games.

FIRST-HALF FAMILIA: Is one of 15 relievers and is the first Met to have 30 saves prior to the All-Star break since saves became an official stat in 1969.

GO FLO: Wilmer Flores has two multi-home run games in his last four games…According to Elias, he became the first third baseman in team history to accomplish that feat…Flores is 9-for-his-last-17 (.529) with four homers and seven RBI.

COLON VS. NATIONALS: In his nine games (eight starts) against the Nationals as a Met, Colón is 3-5 with a 3.70 ERA… His last win versus Washington came on May 23, when he pitched 7 innings and allowed one run on five hits in the Mets’ 7-1 victory… Colon struck out two and walked two.

GIOLITO VS. METS: Lucas Giolito was summoned to the big leagues to start in place of RHP Stephen Strasburg on June 28 against the Mets… In his Major League debut, he tossed 4 innings of one-hit no-run ball before a rain delay forced him from the game…Tonight will mark his second career start and both have come against the Mets.

Matt Harvey placed on 15-day DL

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Matt Harvey has been placed on the 15-day disabled list this afternoon with discomfort in his right shoulder. It is being reported that Harvey is being sent to Dr. Robert Thompson in St. Louis for further examination. It’s another drastic turn of events for Harvey, as he seemed to finally be turning the corner a couple of weeks ago, but recently had only lasted 3.2 innings in his previous two starts. Harvey has a 4.86 ERA over 92.2 innings this season, and at this point it is tough to determine how serious the shoulder injury is, as no injury had been previously reported. As of right now it’s a big blow to the Mets rotation despite how bad Harvey has pitched this year. If there is indeed anything wrong with Harvey’s shoulder, it could be part of the reason Harvey has had the worst season of his career thus far. Let’s hope it is nothing serious at this point and rest is the diagnosis.

Former Met Dillion Gee  had visited Dr. Thompson back in 2012 to have artery damage repaired in his throwing shoulder, after he had a previous blood clot removed.

Seth Lugo will be promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Lugo recently made his MLB debut back on July 1st for the Mets, and threw two scoreless innings before being sent back down to Triple-A.

Final Recap: Mets 4 – Marlins 2

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The New York Mets (46-38) defeated the Miami Marlins (44-41) by the final score of 4-2 this afternoon at Citi Field. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_07_06_miamlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_07_06_miamlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

  • Wilmer Flores had a huge game today going 2-4 with 2 solo HR’s.
  • Curtis Granderson was 2-4 with an RBI single that scored 2 runs.
  • Jose Reyes was 2-4 with 2 doubles and a run scored.
  • Jacob deGrom was solid for 7 innings allowing 6 hits and 2 runs. He walked 2 and struck out 7.
  • Jeurys Famila converted his 30th save of the season.

The Mets won a big game today against the Marlins as they took two of three from a team just inches behind them in the standings.  Wilmer Flores continues to have a big week as he crushed two home runs this afternoon, and he is making a case for Terry Collins to continue to find ways to keep his hot bat in the lineup. Flores was supposed to get the start at first base today and give James Loney a well needed day off, but Asdrubal Cabrera was a late scratch and Flores got the start at third base with Jose Reyes manning shortstop. Cabrera who has been battling a knee injury lately, did not sit out due to his knee issues, but due to a family illness that had kept him up all night. We should expect Cabrera to be back in the lineup tomorrow. 

After debuting 0-5 last night, Jose Reyes seemed more comfortable today as he ripped two doubles down the left-field line and looked good at shortstop today. I’m sure last night he was playing with a whirlwind of emotions and today he seemed to be a bit more settled, especially at the plate. Reyes also tacked on a run after scoring on a Curtis Granderson RBI single. 

Jacob deGrom tip-toed out of danger a few times today and only limited his damage to two solo Giancarlo Stanton home runs. Stanton who seems to be getting white-hot for the Marlins is leaving New York at the right time, as he has homered four times against the Mets in less than 24 hours. It was a solid outing for deGrom who threw a season-high 117 pitches and pitched in his final game before the All Star Break.

The Mets will begin a huge four game series starting tomorrow night against the Washington Nationals. After the Mets recent 6-1 homestand, the Mets have a chance to play for first place again, as crazy as that sounds after last week’s showing against the Nationals. The team has done a complete 180 degree turnaround since last week’s series and it will be interesting to see how the Mets carry their recent home success into this upcoming series. All of us will be watching this series with a very close eye and let’s hope that the Mets are in first place heading into the All Star Break!

  • The Mets and Nationals kick off game one of their four-game set at 7:10 pm et tomorrow night. You can watch tomorrow night’s game on SNY and MLB Network.
  • Age will be on display tomorrow night as the 43-year old Bartolo Colon (7-4, 2.87 ERA) will take on the top prospect in all of baseball in 21-year old Nats right-hander Lucas Giolito (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Mets send 3 to All Star Game in San Diego.

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In addition to NL All Star Manager Terry Collins, it was announced tonight that the Mets will have three representatives joining him in San Diego next week.

Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was voted in by the fans as a starting outfielder for the National League squad. Cespedes who is having an MVP caliber season, will be playing in his second career All Star Game, but his first All Star Game representing the National League. Cespedes who won both the 2013 and 2014 Home Run Derby’s is more likely than not to skip this year’s derby reportedly due to a nagging wrist injury. Cespedes is currently hitting .304 with 21 home runs and 51 RBI’s.

Noah Syndergaard could possibly join Yoenis Cespedes on the field as the starting pitcher for the 2016 Midsummer Classic as he has been named to his first ever All Star Game tonight as well. Syndergaard who has some of the most powerful stuff in the league has been rated by FanGraphs as averaging the fastest fastball (98.2), slider (91.3) and change-up (90.1) this season. Syndergaard holds a 9-3 record to go along with a 2.41 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 101 innings pitched this season.

Another dynamite arm is heading to his first ever All Star Game in closer Jeurys Familia. Familia has established himself as one of the best closers in the game today and is a perfect 29-29 in save chances this season. Familia’s 29 saves prior to the All Star break are a franchise record, and he has saved a franchise record 45 consecutive games in the regular season dating to August 1, 2015. It has been a truly historic run for the 26-year old closer and a well-deserving nod.

Manager Terry Collins and his entire coaching staff will be manning the bench along with Padres manager Andy Green for the 87th Annual Midsummer Classic. The All Star Game can be seen next Tuesday night (July 12) on FOX.

Final Recap: Marlins 5 – Mets 2

Marlins Mets Baseball

The Miami Marlins (43-40) defeated the New York Mets (45-37) by the final score of 5-2 tonight at Citi Field. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_07_05_miamlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_07_05_miamlb_nynmlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

Game Notes:

  • Steven Matz was handed the loss tonight despite pitching a good game. He went 7 innings while allowing 2 runs on 6 hits. He walked 1 and struck out 6.
  • Erik Goeddel served up a 3-run HR to Giancarlo Stanton in his lone inning of relief.
  • Yoenis Cespedes was 2-3 with a solo HR.
  • Alejandro De Aza had a pinch-hit solo HR.
  • Jose Reyes went 0-4 in his 2016 Mets debut. He received a standing ovation prior to his first at-bat tonight (pictured).

After a historic comeback yesterday afternoon, the Mets bats fell silent tonight against a struggling Marlins starter in Wei-Yin Chen. The Mets couldn’t seem to get anything going offensively as they had only four hits on the night, and two of them were solo home runs. The Mets have traditionally struggled against left-handed pitchers this season, as they have scored the second fewest runs in the Majors against lefties, and manufacturing runs against lefties will be an area that the team will have to improve on as the season goes on. The team actually has a quick turnaround against another left-hander tomorrow afternoon, so let’s hope the offense can kick it into high-gear. 

The Mets were burned by one player tonight in Giancarlo Stanton as he accounted for two home runs and five RBI’s. Steven Matz made one mistake the whole night, and it came at the expense of a 84 mph changeup that Stanton deposited into left-center field in the top of the seventh inning. That two-run home run by Stanton gave the Marlins a 2-1 lead. Stanton also ripped a three-run home run towards left-center field on a Erik Goeddel fastball in the top of the eighth inning. While Stanton has been a dynamic force in Miami’s lineup over the past several seasons, he is having the worst statistical season of his career, and came into tonight hitting .111 over his past seven games. It was a tough break, but the Mets went after Stanton tonight and they paid for it dearly. 

  • The Mets now improve to 5-1 on their midseason defining homestand that continues tomorrow afternoon with a rubber game against the Marlins.First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm et and can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.
  • Jacob deGrom (4-4, 2.62 ERA) will look to take the rubber match against Marlins southpaw Justin Nicolino (2-4, 5.34 ERA).

Jose Reyes Returns Home.

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Sept. 25, 2011; Queens, NY, USA; The Phildelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets, 9-4, in a Major League Baseball game at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Credit: Danny Wild/MLB.com

Jose Reyes as expected, has been activated prior to tonight’s game, and is in the starting lineup, batting leadoff and starting at third base for the first time in his career. Infielder Matt Reynolds has been optioned back to AAA Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Third baseman David Wright has also been transferred to the 60-day DL to make room for Reyes on the 40-man roster.

Reyes was 6-34 (.176) with six runs scored and two RBI in 11 games between Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League and Brooklyn (A) of the New York-Penn League. Reyes was signed to a minor league contract by the Mets on June 25 following his release from the Colorado Rockies. Reyes hit .274 with 25 doubles, seven home runs and 53 RBI in 116 games between Toronto and Colorado last year.

Reyes who came up with the Mets back in 2003, played for the Mets until 2011 before departing as a free agent to the Miami Marlins. Reyes is the franchise leader in stolen bases (370), triples (99) and ranks third in hits (1,300) and second in runs (735). It also has been announced that Reyes will wear his customary #7, and Travis d’Arnaud will switch his number to #18.

It is expected that Reyes will primarily play third base, although Terry Collins suggested prior to tonight’s game that Reyes could possibly see time in center field as well. All in all Reyes can provide much-needed speed at the top of the lineup for a Mets team that is devoid of it. Reyes also seems to be rejuvenated to be back in New York, and he has taken one of the best approaches towards addressing his domestic violence incident compared to many other athletes who have been in the same situation.

It is a great low risk addition for a Mets ballclub who has struggled with speed on the bases, and there is nobody better to take a flyer on than one of the greatest Mets players of all time.

Welcome home Jose and let’s go Mets!

Lineups & Game Notes: Marlins vs. Mets 7:10 pm et.

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Miami Marlins (43-40):

  1. Adeiny Hechavarria (R) SS
  2. Martin Prado (R) 3B
  3. Christian Yelich (L) LF
  4. Marcell Ozuna (R) CF
  5. Giancarlo Stanton (R) RF
  6. Chris Johnson (R) 1B
  7. Miguel Rojas (R) 2B
  8. Jeff Mathis (R) C
  9. Wei-Yin Chen (R) P

SP: Wei-Yin Chen LHP (4-3, 5.11 ERA)

New York Mets (45-37):

  1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
  2. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
  3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
  4. Wilmer Flores (R) 2B
  5. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
  6. James Loney (L) 1B
  7. Juan Lagares (R) CF
  8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
  9. Steven Matz (R) P

SP: Steven Matz LHP (7-3, 3.40 ERA)

Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY.

Game Notes:

MARLINS-METS NOTES: The Mets have won six straight home season series vs. the Marlins dating to 2010…The Mets are 38- 29 all-time vs. the Fish at Citi Field.

HOMECOOKIN’: The Mets are 5-0 on their season-high 11-game homestand…The Mets are 24-16 at home this year and have won seven consecutive games at Citi Field…The Mets are 34-7 when they score four or more runs.

COMEBACK CITY: The Mets overcame a six-run deficit yesterday… It was tied for the fourth-largest comeback win in team history and first since September 8, 2015 at Washington when they overcame a six-run deficit to win 8-7.

HOT HITTERS: Travis d’Arnaud is batting .448 (13-29) with one home run and seven RBI over his last nine games dating to June 24… In Curtis Granderson’s last five games, he’s batting .438 (7-16) with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored…Brandon Nimmo is 8-for-his-last-28 (.321)…He has four RBI and scored four times in his last five games.

YO MVP: Yoenis Cespedes has hit in eight straight games, going 13-33 (.394) with two homers and five RBI…Has nine RBI in his last 11 home games…Cespedes is hitting .368 (25-68) with four homers, 10 RBI and a .421 OBP over his last 18 games.

FIRST-HALF FAMILIA: Jeurys Familia’s 29 saves prior to the All-Star break are the most in team history…Familia had 27 firsthalf saves last year.

MATZ VS. MARLINS: Has made two career starts against the Marlins…Is 0-1 with a 11.57 ERA and has struck out seven and walked four…His 11.57 ERA is his highest ERA against any opponent…Has made one start against the Marlins this season…Took the loss in his first start of the season on April 11…Pitched a career-low 1.2 innings, allowed a career-high seven runs, earned, on six hits…The loss marked his first and only career home defeat.

METS VS. CHEN: The 30-year old left-hander is making the first start of his career against the Mets but notable current Mets hitter’s numbers  against the 30-year old lefty are provided below…

  • Jose Reyes: .444 (4-9), 1 2B, 1 RBI
  • James Loney: .333 (8-24), 2 2B, 1 HR
  • Yoenis Cespedes: .214 (3-14), RBI, 4 K
  • Curtis Granderson: .182 (2-11), 2 HR, 3 RBI
  • Asdrubal Cabrera:.125 (2-16), 1 HR, 2 RBI