The newest Met, Rick Ankiel, couldn’t hold onto Ty Wigginton’s sinking line drive for a double. Wigginton then scored from second on an infield hit off pitcher Scott Rice. Matt Holliday followed with a two-run homer, and just like that it was over and the Mets had their fourth straight loss, 6-3, at St. Louis to fall seven games below .500. ON THE MOUND: Jeremy Hefner had his third straight quality start, giving up three runs in six [...]

There will be days like Sunday, where the meltdown is complete in all phases, beginning with Jon Niese, who had an inability to get hitters out, an offense that offered little resistance to Tim Hudson, and a porous defense. It’s not alarming the Mets couldn’t do anything against Hudson, but what should be a source of concern is Niese, who was hit hard in his fourth straight start – all lost by the Mets – [...]

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, team officials are saying that lefthanded starter Jon Niese reported no issues and is set to return to the rotation on Sunday against the Phillies. “A little swollen, but it feels good,” Niese describe the injury Thursday morning. Manager Terry Collins said they didn’t want Niese to break his routine, and he remains on target to make his next scheduled start. Niese left Tuesday night’s game against the [...]

Last night, at least six times, I heard fans, beat writers and announcers drawing comparisons to Tom Seaver when talking about Matt Harvey. He’s quickly becoming not just a Mets story limited only to the five surrounding boroughs, but a national baseball story as well. A cover on the front of Sports Illustrated or ESPN magazine is not far away. Harvey, 24, had his second consecutive scintillating start in a row on Monday evening, holding the Phillies [...]

Updated 3/17 As I feared, David Wright rejoined the Mets this morning and uttered the words I was hoping I wouldn’t have to hear. Regarding whether he will be ready to play by Opening Day, Wright had this to say: “That’s looking to predict the future, and I can’t do that, and I won’t do that, because it’s the first day I’ve been back in camp.” “So I don’t know how I’m going to feel [...]

It’s not the pitching line, but the feel of his pitches this time of year. “I felt good. My stuff was very good,” Jonathan Niese said after this afternoon’s 62-pitch outing against the Venezuelan WBC team. “I am not used to that kind of workload (this early in spring training). But, that’s a good thing.” Niese said getting his curveball over and mastering his change-up is what concerns him most. Both are feel pitches requiring [...]

Mets left fielder Lucas Duda was a late scratch from Friday’s 6-2 victory over the Tigers. Duda left camp briefly to be examined for a non-baseball-related health issue, reports Marc Carig of Newsday. General manager Sandy Alderson categorized the issue as minor and Duda refused to elaborate. “Everything’s good,” he said. Manager Terry Collins told reporters that Duda might also be out of the lineup for this afternoon’s  game against the Marlins.