Morning Briefing: Griffin Looks to Stymie the Nats

Good morning, Mets fans!

After being signed to a minor league deal on Feb. 26, A.J. Griffin will lead the Mets into battle against the Nationals at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on Saturday. The Nats will counter with Tanner Roark.

Yesterday, Jacob deGrom dominated the Orioles’s lineup, showcasing an impressive fastball and a ridiculous change-up. He racked up eight strikeouts and permitted only one baserunner in five innings. Robert Gsellman then relieved him, but a wind-enabled Tim Beckham homer and a Jay Bruce error allowed the Orioles to take a one run lead.

Seth Lugo and Paul Sewald each pitched scoreless innings, aiding their case to make the Opening Day Roster. Another competitor for an Opening Day spot and birthday boy, Jacob Rhame, allowed a go-ahead two-run home run to Anthony Santander in the top of the ninth inning.

But in the bottom of the ninth, the Mets had some offensive magic of their own. Phil Evans doubled in Luis Guillorme to cut the deficit to one. James Teague then uncorked a wild pitch, which allowed Ty Kelly to tie the game. Mickey Callaway and Buck Showalter elected not to play extra innings so the game finished up in a 4-4 draw.

Latest Mets News

Michael Conforto played in a minor league game for the first time since his shoulder surgery. He finished 0-for-2 with two walks.

Jay Jaffe of Fangraphs wrote about the late Mets third baseman, Ed Charles.

Yoenis Cespedes is expected to participate in the Mets game on Monday.

While pitching for the Mets minor league team, Jason Vargas was struck by a line drive on his wrist. X-rays were negative.

Latest MLB News

Jose Altuve and the Astros agreed to a five year mega-extension worth $151 million that will begin in 2020.

Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez struck a seven-year extension worth $66 million. This will all but guarantee that top prospect Nick Senzel will move to the shortstop position soon.

According to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press, the Twins acquired prospect Jake Cave from the Yankees. They also designated Kennys Vargas for assignment in order to make room for Cave on their 40-man roster.

Brooks Kieshnick is a huge believer in Shohei Ohtani. Despite his admiration of Ohtani, he still bombed in yesterday’s start, ballooning his spring training ERA to 16.20.

Former Met Jon Niese was released from his minor league deal with the Texas Rangers due to subscapularis in his left shoulder.

Latest NL East News

The Braves inked Anibal Sanchez to a minor league deal.

Phillies pitcher Jerad Eickhoff will be sidelined for the next three months due to a strained lat he suffered last Friday.

The Nationals were able to snatch Jeremy Hellickson on a minor league deal. USA Today believes that Hellickson will fill the No. 5 spot in the Nationals rotation.

Former Marlin Henderson Alvarez signed with Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League.

The Phillies designated Eliezer Alvarez for assignment in order to add utility-man Pedro Florimon to their 40-man roster.