Four of New York’s minor league teams open action tonight and here are tonight’s starters: RHP Zack Wheeler is scheduled to start for Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League at Sacramento. Game time is 10:05 PM EDT. RHP Rafael Montero will take the hill for Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League at Akron. Game time is at 6:35 PM EDT. RHP Hansel Robles will take the mound for St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League vs. Jupiter. [...]

With Pacific Coast League action kicking off tomorrow, April 4, MiLB.com has released their top ten prospects to watch from the PCL in 2013. The Mets will have two of the top five players on that list when play opens up tomorrow in Travis d’Arnaud (4) and Zack Wheeler (5). It’s unclear how long many of these players will remain in the PCL, as they are some of the more exciting prospects in all of baseball, [...]

I’ve been reading many pieces in the national and local press suggesting that 2013 stands to be an especially fallow year for the New York baseball fan. The reasoning behind this assertion is based almost entirely on two assumptions: 1. The Mets will continue to tread the path of mediocrity with little or no hope of securing a post-season berth. 2. The Yankees, with their roster gutted of talent by injuries and free agent defections [...]

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus cashed in a big way by agreeing to an eight-year, $120 million contract extension. The deal hasn’t been finalized, but should be made official on Thursday. There is a clause that would allow Andrus to opt out after the fourth year if he chooses, but since the extension doesn’t kick in till after his current contract expires after 2014, that means he’s signed at least through 2018, which would be [...]

LIVE BLOGGING FROM CITI FIELD This game’s over and the Mets pounded the Padres 11-2 today at Citi Field. It was an “All Hands On Deck Effort” by this revamped Mets team which was great to see. Collin Cowgill with a huge Mets debut and big contributions also from Byrd, Buck, Wright, Tejada, Murphy and of course Jon Niese who looked sharp in his first start of the season. Fun game and it was fun [...]

The roster is set. The grass is cut. Citi Field is ready for a near-sellout crowd as the New York Mets begin their 2013 season taking on the San Diego Padres. To kick-off the Opening Day festivities, the Mets have planned quite a pre-game ceremony for those lucky enough to be in attendance. The Mets will honor heroes and volunteers who have played an integral role in the response to Hurricane Sandy in a pre-game, [...]

Ahh, the luck of the Irish… According to Newsday’s Marc Carig, second baseman Daniel Murphy played five innings at second base today, going 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk in a minor league game. It was his first appearance at the plate this spring since straining his intercostal just over a month ago. “It felt good, it felt really good,” Murphy said afterward. “This is the best I’ve felt all spring. I think I should be [...]

Dan in Whitestone asks… Can you please tell me why there is always some debate on your site about Bill Rigney and his connection to Sandy Alderson? I don’t understand why this is always such a hot debate on Metsmerized and was wondering if you could educate me a little on this. Joe D. says… Dan, I’m the wrong guy to answer this but will do the best that I could. The only two people [...]

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 [...]